VANCOUVER -- Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger has been found guilty of drunk driving.
Kroeger, who lives in Abbotsford, B.C., was arrested in nearby Surrey in June 2006, after being spotted speeding in his red Lamborghini Diablo.
He was convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit but acquitted of driving while impaired.
Kroeger, whose real name is Chad Robert Turton, is the lead singer for Nickelback, a multi Juno award-winning band originally from Alberta.
During Kroeger's trial on Nov. 21, 2007, and Jan. 8, 2008, his defence lawyer attempted get Kroeger off the charges on three fronts.
He argued that the arresting officer's request that Kroeger blow into his face to determine whether there was alcohol on his breath was a breach of his rights, that the officer waited too long before taking a breath sample and that Kroeger was forced to wait too long before being taken to the Surrey detachment.
The court was told the delay was caused by Kroeger's concern about leaving his $175,000 vehicle on the side of the road. He wanted to wait to make sure it was towed.
Kroeger was described by police as being angry at the thought of leaving his vehicle. However, when he got to the detachment, Kroeger's demeanour changed and he told police humorous tales of his life on the road.
Surrey provincial court Judge Peder Gulbransen agreed that Kroeger's rights were violated but he still permitted the breathalyser tests to be used as evidence. Those tests showed Kroeger's blood-alcohol level to be twice the legal limit.
Kroeger did not attend any of the court hearings but is scheduled to appear for his May 1 sentencing.
His lawyer is expected to appeal the verdict.
Vancouver Province
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