WINNIPEG — A young woman has apologized for getting behind the wheel after drinking and causing a crash that killed two women and seriously injured two more.
The woman was 17 at the time of the 2010 collision at the intersection of St Mary Road and Bishop Grandin Avenue.
READ MORE: Crown seeks adult sentence for driver in fatal Halloween 2010 crash
During her sentencing hearing at the law courts on Thursday she tried to hold back tears as stood up and spoke to the court, “I can understand why you all hate me, why you want the worst to happen to me, why you think I’m a monster.”
She said she was “truly remorseful” but acknowledged “no amount of apologies will make up for what I’ve done.”
During the apology some people in the packed courtroom gallery cried but most stared straight ahead, some even shook their heads. After the hearing, many said they didn’t the apology was sincere, including Anita Subramaniam, the older sister of 17-year-old Amutha Subramaniam who died in the crash, “I don’t believe in any shape, way, or form that this is genuine.”
Others, including Lysbeth Arthur, who suffered a serious brain injury in the crash from which she’s still recovering, says the apology should’ve included Eden Andu. She was driving the car that was hit and didn’t suffer any major physical injuries but is still dealing with the psychological repercussions.
Arthur and Subramaniam both left the courtroom as the young woman’s mother was issuing her apology to the families and victims. Subramamiam says, “It made me realize that my mother will never see my sister again . Senhit’s mother will never see Senhit again.” Senhit Mehari, 19, was the other woman killed in the crash.
Crown prosecutors are going for a 5-year, adult prison sentence for the young woman who is now 21. Her defense lawyer says a youth sentence with no jail time that focuses on rehabilitation is appropriate.
The woman had her cruise control on at the time of the crash with the speed set at 20 km/h over the posted limit. She was also texting on her phone and her blood alcohol level was somewhere between .07 and .12 even though her license had a provision saying she couldn’t have any alcohol in her system.
The crown prosecutor also produced text message records showing she had planned to drink and drive that night. The same records also showed her friends had tried to convince her not to drive after she had consumed alcohol.
The judge has reserved her decision and will hand down the sentence at a later date.
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