Victim's blood-alcohol level almost twice legal limit

The blood-alcohol level of a man killed in a March 2011 crash tested at almost double the legal limit after his death, a doctor testified on Monday.

Speaking at the trial of Pembroke dentist Christy Natsis, Dr. Jacqueline Parai said one sample of Bryan Casey's blood showed 145 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

The legal limit is 80 milligrams.

Dr. Paraiwas asked if a blood transfusion given to Casey could have further diluted the blood-alcohol tests, but she could not comment, saying she didn't know how much blood Casey had received.

Casey, afather of three, was driving home from work at the time.

Natsis is accused of impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and exceeding the legal blood-alcohol limit in the Highway 17 crash that killed Casey.

Notes show one vehicle involved driving 140-150 km/h

Casey suffered a broken femur, more than a dozen broken ribs and a fractured pelvis in the fatal crash, said Dr. Parai, who performed the post-mortem examination.

One of the vehicles was travelling between 140 and 150 km/h at the time of the crash, according to notes from a pathologist submitted as evidence in court Monday.

Natsis's trial resumedlast weekafter a three-month break with the defence arguing her breathalyzer readings shouldn't be counted as evidence because officers didn't have reasonable or probable grounds to arrest her.

Defence lawyer Michael Edelson also said Natsis's Charter rights were violated when police ended her phone call with her lawyer.

The trial continues Tuesday morning.