Winnipeg man given jail term for killing man while texting, driving drunk

WINNIPEG — A 23-year-old Winnipeg man is going to jail for killing a man while texting and driving impaired in 2011.

Vann Hansell was sentenced to two years and two months in federal penitentiary and banned from driving for 18 months.

Hansell was 19 years old when he hit and killed Mark Derry, 52, on Dugald Road on Sept. 6, 2011.

Hansell was driving east on Dugald under the speed limit of 70 kilometres per hour when he swerved to avoid hitting a line of cars stopped by a city crew working in the area. Hansell drove into the oncoming lane, hitting Derry head-on.

He pleaded guilty to texting and driving impaired but only after his trial process started.

“Let this be a lesson to other young people,” the judge said at Hansell’s sentencing Monday.

Sitting in the prisoners box, Hansell wiped tears away as the victims family hugged outside of court.

“I don’t know what to make of the sentence,” said Carol Derry, Mark Derry’s widow.

Hansell hugged and kissed his girlfriend in court before being led away in handcuffs by sheriff’s officers.