SURREY, B.C. - Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger has been convicted of drunk driving in a B.C. court.
Kroeger, whose real name is Chad Turton, had almost twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he was stopped for speeding in Surrey, B.C., in June 2006.
He was driving a $175,000 Lamborghini through Surrey, B.C., at around 2 a.m.
Kroeger's lawyer tied to have the charges dropped by arguing the Mountie who stopped Kroeger conducted an unlawful search by having the singer blow in his face after detecting the smell of alcohol.
The lawyer also claimed the police took too long in getting Kroeger back to the detachment for a breath sample.
But Justice Peder Gulbrandsen ruled previously that there were legitimate reasons for the nearly two-hour delay as the arresting officer made arrangements for Kroeger's car to be towed.
Gulbrandsen said the Mounties did not have the means to remove the singer's car from the scene without Kroeger remaining there.
"It was obvious that Mr. Turton was very concerned about his car,'' Gulbrandsen said in his written judgment. "He was not being unreasonable. It was worth about $175,000 and was not a vehicle that most towing companies handle very often, if ever.''
He ruled that it was not surprising that it would take a while to determine how the Lamborghini had to be transported, how much it would cost and what method of payment the company would take before towing it to Kroeger's house.
"It made sense to allow this transaction to occur before he was taken away,'' the judge wrote. "(The officer) was understandably uncomfortable supervising the transfer of over $200 in cash without making sure that receipts were issued to Mr. Turton.''
Nickelback was formed in Hanna, Alta., by Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Brandon Kroeger but relocated to Vancouver. The band has won nine Juno Awards and had seven Grammy nominations and was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame last year.
Kroeger will be sentenced May 1, and could face a fine or a temporary driving ban.
