Destiny Michel was sentenced Monday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (Image Credit: File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Tragic events

Drunk driver, responsible for death of friend, receives two-year jail sentence

Jan 26, 2026 | 3:47 PM

Standing outside Prince Albert Provincial Court, Geraldine Bloomfield says no sentence will bring back her daughter.

The comment comes following Monday’s sentencing hearing for Destiny Michel, who after taking responsibility for driving drunk and ultimately causing the death of her friend Esther McCallum, received a two-year jail sentence. Following her release from custody, Michel will then be subject to a three-year driving ban and two years probation which includes 50 hours of community service.

“My girl … we won’t ever see her again,” Bloomfield said through tears.

The tragic story dates back to the morning of Aug. 4, 2024 and a fatal crash that occurred north of Prince Albert.

The vehicle, driven by Michel, rolled multiple times on a gravel road. McCallum, who was sitting in the back seat, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased soon after by arriving paramedics.

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Esther McCallum had two young children. (Image Credit: Facebook)

Michel was found unconscious and still belted into the driver’s seat. Another person was belted into the front passenger seat.

Both were taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

Analysis of the scene determined the vehicle had left the road travelling between 79-98 km/h but before that, speeds were estimated at around 130 km/h. The speed limit was 80 km/h.

The weather was good, but the gravel road had some washboards on it. Michel’s blood alcohol and THC levels combined were just over 200 mg, putting her in the moderately to severely intoxicated category.

Bloomfield said she hopes this sends a message to other people who consider driving after drinking.

“If you take a life then you’ll never see them again,” she said.

Following the release of the information that she was charged with drunk driving causing death, Michel lost her employment of three years as a youth worker with Jordan’s Principle.

A guilty plea was entered last October. Michel who sobbed as she left the courtroom on Monday, had previously stated she not had anything to drink since the rollover and signed up for counselling before she was charged.

When the sentencing hearing first began last month, the Crown proposed two and a half years, followed by a five-year driving ban and a 10-year firearms ban.

The defence in turn asked for a two-year prison sentence, followed by a one year probationary period and a two-year driving ban.

Noting the high rate of impaired driving in Saskatchewan, Judge O’Connor stressed a high need for deterrence and denunciation. She also acknowledged McCallum’s family members who were siting in the courtroom.

“I recognize no sentence will bring Esther back but I can see how much she was loved,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell