Sentencing adjourned in fatal crash

It will be another month before Andrew MacDonald knows his fate.

The 20-year-old Stony Rapids man pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm in July.

He sat in a Prince Albert provincial courtroom Thursday to hear the details of his crime. The tear-filled gallery was more than half-full split between MacDonald’s family and the victim’s family.

On Dec. 12, 2009 MacDonald hit a taxi with his truck at 3:34 a.m.

Crown prosecutor, Cynthia Alexander, told the court he drove through a stop sign, slowing down 34 kilometres an hour before hitting the red Checker taxi.

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It was that blow that killed 44-year-old, Tammy Stene-Arcand. She suffered a neck fracture and several rib fractures.

Alexander asked Judge Morris Baniak for a two-year penitentiary sentence.

She said police reports showed MacDonald had slurred speech, smelled of alcohol, couldn’t walk a straight line and had red glassy eyes that night at the police station.

His blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, 220 milligrams per 100 grams, nearly an hour after the collision.

Alexander said, police reports say he “admitted to drinking” and claimed the accident was his fault.

Police found a full bottle of beer outside of the truck and a half-full one in a cooler inside of it, she said.

In the taxi along with Stene-Arcand, were her daughter, friend and the driver, all of which were taken to hospital.

Alexander acknowledged at the scene he wanted to help and even directed the emergency medical technicians to the victim.

Defense lawyer Keith Amyotte, asked the court to go a little easier on the father of one. He asked for an 18-month sentence.

“He is more than willing to enter any programs,” he said, adding the man was attending counselling in Stony Rapids.

He said MacDonald is only in the 17 percentile to reoffend and has no criminal record.

Amyotte said the defendant is “extremely and genuinely remorseful… he is angry at himself.”

McDonald will be back in court on Nov. 22 for his sentencing.

klavoie@rawlco.com