Tanner Hallet Courtney, 22, the man charged in the drinking and driving death of community figure Ben Darchuk pleaded guilty Friday to the charge of impaired driving causing death.
The other two charges Courtney was facing including driving over the legal limit and criminal negligence causing death, were stayed.
On May. 20, Darchuk was traveling northbound on Highway 2 to his Emma Lake cottage when he was struck by the vehicle driven by Courtney.
In was said in court that an eye witness had called 911 prior to the collision reporting a driver all over the road.
The eye witness told police Courtney’s vehicle had jumped into and out of the left lane twice then began to swerve almost hitting another vehicle prior to the collision with Darchuk’s truck.
According to the vehicle’s data recorder, Courtney had been traveling at a speed between 99 km/h and 101 km/h, and did not take his foot off the accelerator. The accident reconstruction report also noted Darchuk had tried to avoid the collision by slamming on the breaks and pulling to the side of the highway.
A blood sample was taken from Courtney after the crash in which he was found to have 123 mg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 80 mg. He also had cocaine in his system, said Crown Prosecutor Bruce Bauer.
He suggested the consumption of alcohol and cocaine left him a state of sleepiness.
Bauer also told the court how Courtney had been issued a ticket earlier that day for open liquor at Sunnyside Beach.
Family members of Darchuk were present in the full court room to give victim impact statements about the how the incident has affected their lives.
Julie Darchuk, Ben’s daughter said the incident has caused considerable mental hardship on their lives.
“I have … countless sleepless nights since my dad got killed. When I finally fall asleep at night I often awake to instant sadness, the result of my new reality, or I am terrified by the horrific nightmares I experience, night after night.”
“My family is beyond messed up, “she added.
Ben’s wife Leanne explained that since the crash she has become distant and some-what reclusive. “I have become quite select on where I choose to go as large groups of people set of panic attacks for me.”
“We were both very social people and now I really don’t feel that way anymore. I am angry most days or totally withdrawn and just want to hide from everybody,” Leanne said.
Whitney Darchuk also described the mental and physical anguish the collision has caused her. She said her father’s death haunts her every time she gets into a vehicle.
“Doesn’t matter whether I’m driving down the highway or passenger in a vehicle, I am unable to clear this thought out of my mind. A car could cross into my lane and kill me at any given time.”
At the end of the hearing Courtney stood and apologized to the family.
“I’d just like to say, anything I say I know it can’t bring Mr. Darchuk back, but I just want you to know I am very, very sorry for what I have done.”
Both lawyers made submissions for sentencing. The crown is asking for a penitentiary sentence of 2 to 2 ½ years with a three year driving prohibition to begin after he is released from prison. Defence council is asking for a substantial correctional sentence.
Sentencing for Courtney will take place Jan. 30, 2013 at Prince Albert Provincial Court.
Twitter:@brentbosker
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