Watch above: Emotions ran high as the woman driving a stolen vehicle that crashed into another killing two teens was to be sentenced Wednesday. Meaghan Craig says victim impact statements described how family members are already serving life terms.
SASKATOON – Brutal, raw, heart-wrenching. It was an emotional day in a Saskatoon courtroom Wednesday as sentencing submissions were made in Cheyann Peeteetuce’s case.
Peeteetuce, 22, pleaded guilty to seven charges last year, including two of criminal negligence causing death, after two teens were killed in a horrific crash.
A video dash camera from a Saskatoon police cruiser of the fatal crash on May 5, 2014 that killed Sarah Wensley and James Haughey, both 17, was played in court.
Watch below: Dashcam footage from a Saskatoon police cruiser on May 5, 2014 showing the stolen vehicle pursuit which ended fatally on 22nd Street.
The stolen truck Peeteetuce was driving smashed the car Haughey was driving at the intersection of 22nd Street and Avenue M. A third teen was seriously injured when the car was pinned against a building.
Peeteetuce also pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm, impaired driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, evading police and breach of probation.
During Wednesday’s hearing, 53 victim impact statements were submitted. Five were heard in court.
The families spoke through tears in the courtroom filled with raw emotion. They called May 5 the worse day of their lives and the days and months since then agonizing and a struggle to live.
“He’s my life, my world … now my life has no meaning to me anymore,” said Marilou Haughey.
“I don’t know how to live without him,” she continued, saying she’s angry, depressed and suicidal
READ MORE: Saskatoon family mourns their only child killed in crash
“I have to find a new way of living without Sarah and that will take a lifetime,” said Sarah Wensley’s mother.
Addressing the court, Peeteetuce said “I just want to say that I’m sorry.”
“Sorry won’t bring James back,” said Marilou Haughey.
The Crown is asking for a 12-year sentence, calling Peeteetuce’s driving that day outrageous, stating she was impaired, has a criminal history involving stolen vehicles and has never had a drivers licence.
The defence called the Crown’s request for a double-digit sentence “extreme” and asked the judge to impose a six-year sentence.
“This is ridiculous, this is why our streets are not safe and I want them to change it,” said Alex Haughey, James’ father, outside of court.
“They took two lives, they should get life in prison, that should be the least they get,” stated Karen Wensley, Sarah’s aunt.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 12.
READ MORE: Young offender gets 3 years for role in fatal stolen truck crash
A now 18-year-old woman who was the passenger in the stolen truck was sentenced as a young offender in January to three years for her involvement.
Meaghan Craig contributed to this story
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