HALIFAX - The trial of a former Nova Scotia cabinet minister accused of fleeing the scene of an accident has heard that Ernie Fage reported the crash in person to police only after getting legal advice to do so.
Fage is accused of leaving a minor fender-bender in downtown Halifax in the early hours of Nov. 24, 2006, without exchanging information with the other driver or reporting the accident within 24 hours, as required by law.
Jennifer Moir, who works for the Halifax police department, testified that Fage came into the station on Nov. 30 to ask about the process involved in reporting an accident, but then said he didn't want to fill out a report.
Moir says Fage returned the following day and said a "lawyer friend" advised him that he could be charged if he didn't report the accident in person.
Janet White, Fage's executive assistant at the time, testified that she called police on Nov. 24 - the same day as the crash - to report the accident, but was told accidents must be reported in person.
Fage, who has insisted he is innocent, stepped down as minister Jan. 4 after a local television station broadcast video footage of the crash scene.
On Thursday, the trial heard from several witnesses who testified they saw Fage drinking in a pub shortly before the crash, while the driver of the other car said he smelled alcohol on Fage's breath.
Under the province's Motor Vehicle Act, anyone involved in a minor accident does not have to wait for police to arrive, but they must exchange information with the other drivers and report the accident to police within 24 hours.
Fage has been charged with a less-serious summary offence, for which the maximum penalty is six months in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both.
Fage currently represents the riding of Cumberland North as an Independent.
