Sentencing begins for Edmonton man involved in crash that killed toddler

EDMONTON – A sentencing hearing began Monday in Edmonton for a man who pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a breath sample after a crash that claimed the life of a toddler.

Richard Suter was charged after the May 2013 death of two-year-old Geo Mounsef.

The boy was pinned against a wall after a vehicle approached a parking spot, went through a plate-glass divider, and hit a table at a restaurant patio.

READ MORE: Edmonton man charged after patio collision kills young boy

At the time of the fatal crash, patrons noticed signs of impairment, as did a police office on scene, but Suter refused to blow into a breathalyzer.

“Mr. Suter was not drunk. He had only a few drinks that day and only a drink about an hour before the incident, but he was not impaired by alcohol,” claimed Dino Bottos, Suter’s lawyer.

Geo’s family has said they believe Suter was impaired that day.

“It’s been a long two years trying to heal from the irreparable damage that was done to our family to have the truth so blatantly denied was the ultimate insult to injury,” said Sage Morin, Geo’s mother.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's been a long two years trying to heal from the irreparable damage that was done to our family to have the truth so blatantly denied was the ultimate insult to injury," said Sage Morin, Geo's mother.

READ MORE: Geo’s mom reacts to suspect’s abduction, beating

In January 2015, Suter was abducted from his home by three masked men, before his thumb was severed. It’s not clear whether the two incidents were connected.

On Monday, video footage was shown of the crash and two witnesses testified.

Victim impact statements are scheduled to take place Tuesday.

Suter is scheduled to testify Wednesday morning.

The maximum penalty for Suter’s crime is a 14 year sentence.

With files from Global News