Catherine McKay has pleaded guilty in Saskatoon. On Wednesday, the 49-year-old pleaded guilty in connection to killing two children, their mother and their father in a horrific crash on Highway 11.
“Mrs. McKay pleaded guilty to the four charges of impaired causing death with respect to the each of the four victims,” said her lawyer, Leslie Sullivan.
On Jan. 3, McKay slammed into the side of a vehicle at the intersection of Highway 11 and Wanuskewin Road.
Jordan Van de Vorst, 34 and Chanda, 33 were pronounced dead at the scene. Their children, five-year-old Kamryn and two-year-old Miguire, would later die in hospital.
“It’s not happy day. It’s not a happy day for us. It’s not a happy day for her family,” said Lou Van de Vorst, Jordan’s father.
“At the same time, I’m glad she’s pleading guilty.”
READ MORE: Saskatoon family reeling after fatal crash claims four lives
By entering this plea, the Van de Vorst family will be spared a long drawn out court process, a trial and will not have to relive the heartbreaking details of the awful collision that claimed the family of four.
“I can’t say we’re looking forward to the sentencing time but at the same time there has to be consequences to the actions she did on that day.”
According to Sullivan, McKay has wanted to take full responsibility for her actions but that the plea process could not be rushed.
“I know from my discussions with her, she was very anxious to achieve this and get to this point.”
Van de Vorst told Global News outside of provincial court he isn’t sure if he takes any comfort in this.
“Comfort, I don’t know. I can’t say that gives us any comfort at all but at the same time it was good to hear she realized what she did.”
In total, McKay faces 12 charges in connection to the collision:
- Four counts of impaired driving causing death.
- Four counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.
- Four counts of impaired operation with a blood alcohol reading over .08 causing death.
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Discussions regarding an appropriate sentence or sentencing range are ongoing between the Crown and Sullivan.
“We would like to see a stiff sentence; we need to make a statement in the province about impaired driving. There’s far too many times when you hear that Saskatchewan has the worst record for impaired driving in Canada and there’s too many times where impaired driving causing death,” Van de Vorst said.
“People and society have to realize that having two, three drinks and then driving home is not acceptable.”
Van de Vorst added if you think nothing will ever happen to you, think again.
“It’s been tough, it always will be tough. We have memories but that’s all that we have.”
A sentencing hearing for McKay has now been set over to July 27.
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