Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Driver fined $1,100 for road-rage incident
SELKIRK -- He's a Manitoba paraplegic who survived a cowardly attack in Australia this March that made international headlines.
In court here Friday, though, Heath Proden was the guilty party in a road rage incident.
Proden, 36, was fined $1,100 for the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in November 2009.
He appeared in court with his Australian fiancé, Kristin Sharrock.
He was visiting her earlier this year in Sydney when he was viciously stomped and beaten with metal bars while waiting for a late-night train.
The beating was captured on surveillance video and broadcast around the world. Police arrested and charged two teenage boys.
Proden, who appeared to be in good health Friday, told a judge he'd been driving inappropriately when another driver pulled in front of him on a Winnipeg street.
He was accused of ramming the small car with his 2008 Chrysler van, before causing it to swerve off the road and then threatening the driver.
The other vehicle's driver recorded Proden's licence plate and later called police, who arrested him.
"I have no excuse for my actions," said Proden Friday.
"I believe I should have slowed down."
However, Proden said his driving was due to mechanical problems with his vehicle, which required a recall.
He acknowledged he'd hit the other vehicle but shook his head at accusations that he'd struck the small car several times, and told court the other driver could also have caused a serious collision.
Defence lawyer Edwin Sloane said his client had suffered from a case of "road rage," and that Proden followed close behind the small car.
"He admits he lost it," he said.
Crown Deann Sahulka said the driving was "completely inappropriate and reckless."
Court heard he has no prior record and there were no injuries resulting from the incident.
He said after the court hearing that, health-wise, he is "doing alright" after the attack.
gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 4, 2010 B3
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