WATCH ABOVE: The man charged in a crash that killed a toddler in 2013 won’t be going to trial, but he’ll likely still serve time. Eric Szeto explains.
EDMONTON — The man accused of impaired driving after a collision that killed a two-year-old pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Friday.
Richard Suter, 62, will be sentenced the week of Oct. 19 for failing to provide a breath sample and causing death. He could face up to a maximum of 14 years in prison.
In May 2013, two-year-old Geo Mounsef died after being pinned to a wall when Suter’s vehicle crashed through a restaurant patio in Terwillegar, near Rabbit Hill Road and 23rd Avenue. Police allege Suter was stopped outside Ric’s Grill (now Hart’s Table & Bar) when he shifted into drive instead of reverse.
The toddler died in hospital. Geo’s father, mother and one-year-old sibling suffered minor injuries.
On Friday Geo’s father George and mother Sage Morin spoke outside the courthouse.
“It’s been a long two years of trying to heal from the irreparable damage that was done to our family,” said Sage Morin, Geo’s mother.
The family still believes Suter was impaired on the night of the crash.
“To have the truth so blatantly denied was the ultimate insult to injury,” she said.
“It may be too little, too late, but we are headed in the right direction.”
Suter’s lawyer Dino Bottos said his client had a few drinks earlier that day and one drink an hour before crash, but is adamant he was not impaired.
“The Crown is acknowledging — and the Suter family is grateful for this— that Mr. Suter was not impaired when he pressed the wrong pedal and crashed into the patio at Ric’s Grill on May 19th, and he caused the death of Geo Mounsef.”
Bottos said his client accepts responsibility for the fact he unlawfully refused to provide a breath sample when arrested.
“Mr.Suter accepts responsibility for that offense and he knows that the Crown will still be looking for a substantial period of incarceration,” Bottos added.
In a bizarre twist, Suter was kidnapped, beaten, and had his thumb cut off before being dumped in a field on the outskirts of Edmonton in January. One man was arrested on Friday and charged with the crime, and police still searching for two suspects. Suter said he suspected the attack was revenge for the 2013 fatal collision.
READ MORE: ‘It must be some kind of vengeance,’ alleged drunk driver says of abduction, beating
Suter’s lawyer said the January abduction and thumb severing had nothing to do with Friday’s plea.
Suter was originally charged with one count each of impaired operation causing death, refusing demand causing death (refusing to provide a breath sample), and two counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm. The other charges are likely to be withdrawn.
Sentencing will take place from October 19 to 23, 2015.
Comments