An internationally renowned tattoo artist arrested this summer, accused of impaired and dangerous driving, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of refusing to provide a breath sample to police. Luis Puedmag-Vinueza of Tottenham was accused of driving drunk and in the wrong direction at 3:30 in the morning along Highway 400 south of Barrie when several drivers called 911 to report erratic driving in the southbound lanes. Puedmag-Vinueza, 41, who appeared in court via Zoom and runs tattoo parlours in Toronto and Barrie, admitted to a single count of refusing to provide his breath sample to police as part of the plea deal with the Crown. The court heard, through an Agreed Statement of Facts read by the prosecution, that the accused, while behind the wheel of a grey Hyundai SUV, was seen by several witnesses driving erratically on August 14 between Cookstown and Innisfil Beach Road. Police said the vehicle was seen driving slowly near the Innisfil En Route with brake lights coming on and off. The vehicle was pulled over by police in the parking lot beside the highway, where officers said Puedmag-Vinueza got out of his car and seemed unsteady on his feet with red, glassy eyes. He told police he had a beer before driving. Police found a cold, open beer can in a cup holder inside the SUV. An hour later, after refusing to provide a sample of his breath to officers, the accused said he wanted to speak with his wife and a lawyer. He was charged after refusing again to comply with the breath demand from police at about 5:30 a.m. As part of the joint submission from the Crown and defence Puedmag-Vinueza, who moved to Canada from Ecuador about 13 years ago, was handed a $3,000 fine and is banned from driving for a year. The married father of three said he was sorry and expressed his desire to continue on with his life. All remaining charges against him were withdrawn by the Crown.
