A sign recognizing the site where the Classens were killed by drunk driver Tyler Seeley. (file photo)

By Susan McNeil

No parole

Drunk driver who killed Aylsham couple loses parole appeal

Dec 18, 2023 | 4:58 PM

The man who was drunk when he hit and killed Gord and Marjorie Classen in 2020 was not successful in convincing the Appeal Division of the Parole Board of Canada that he should be released from jail.

The appeal division agreed last week with the parole board’s decision to keep Tyler Seeley behind bars.

Seeley argued the board’s decision this past July to deny him parole was based on wrong and incomplete information.

The appeal division said it is required to consider all of the available information, then cited Seeley’s history of not complying with orders to things such as taking the driving impairment course, failing to do the intake addiction screening, and several roadside suspensions with the most recent one lasting 30 days.

Seeley disputed his driving violation history despite being presented with evidence and then provided a different version of the events.

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The appeal division also noted Seeley’s attitude and resistance towards programming even while he was taking it.

He would also become confrontational with the program facilitator when being asked to address the moment of his crime and the year leading up to it.

Some improvement was noted but the appeal division accepted the parole board’s concern over the likelihood Seeley would relapse.

When Seeley’s truck hit the vehicle the Classens were driving near Aberdeen, not only did he have a blood alcohol level of 184 mg, he also had his then four-year-old daughter in the vehicle.

Marjorie Classen died at the scene and Gordon died in hospital several weeks later.

In August of 2020, Seeley was sentenced to just over five years in jail after entering guilty pleas to two counts of impaired driving causing death and one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm.

His daughter had both of her arms broken in the collision.

Seeley has been allowed escorted temporary absences but the board found this past summer that he has not demonstrated the maturity nor the attitude needed to be a suitable candidate for day or full parole.

He will remain incarcerated in the Drumheller Institution.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com