9 1/2 years for drunk driver who killed Sask. conservation officer

Taypotat pleaded guilty in December 2014 to manslaughter and drunk driving causing death after smashing through a road block and hitting Knackstedt at speeds between 96 and 115 kilometres per hour.

It happened on May 31, 2013 while Knackstedt was directing traffic at a road block on Highway 11. At the same time, Taypotat was driving an SUV from Regina to Saskatoon with a blood-alcohol level that was three times the legal limit.

Despite getting numerous complaints about Taypotat’s erratic driving, police were unable to stop him from hitting Knackstedt. Court heard Taypotat narrowly missed hitting a female RCMP officer after initially pulling over at the south end of the road block.

During sentencing arguments, the Crown asked for a 10-year sentence while the defence argued for eight years to account for Gladue factors such as childhood abuse and neglect.

Justice Dennis Maher said he chose a sentence in the higher range because of several aggravating factors. Taypotat had a criminal record that included a previous drunk driving conviction, was wanted on an outstanding warrant at the time of the crash, and was speeding the entire way from Regina to Saskatoon, Maher noted in his ruling.

He did give Taypotat a 1.5 remand credit for the two years he spent in custody, for a total of three years.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Kevin Callele with the Ministry of Environment said he hopes the sentence will bring some closure to Knackstedt’s family.

“Justin was a young gentlemen that was just starting his career. He had a passion for the outdoors and he was looking forward to a career in the ministry.”

Callele said the ministry reviewed the accident and recommended changes to help keep officers safe in high-volume traffic.

bmcadam@rawlco.com

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by Bre McAdam

9 1/2 years for drunk driver who killed Sask. conservation officer

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