WINNIPEG — A woman who killed two women on Halloween night in 2010 while driving drunk, speeding and texting is going to jail for two years.
“This is a joke,” said Anita Subramaniam, whose sister was killed in the crash, “the lives that were involved in this meant a lot more.”
The woman was 17 at the time and can not be named.
She left the courtroom Wednesday in tears surrounded by Sheriffs as her mother and family openly wept and hugged.
The teen entered guilty pleas to two counts of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm at Bishop Grandin and St. Mary’s Road on October 31, 2010.. Impaired driving charges were dropped.
entered guilty pleas to two counts of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Impaired driving charges were dropped by justice officials.
Amutha Subramaniam, 17 and Senhit Mehari, 19 were killed. Three other friends were injured, two critically.
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The Crown asked for an adult sentence of 5 years in prison. The judge rejected an adult sentence.
The courtroom was packed with friends and families of the victims and accused. The offender sat in the prisoners box as the judge read her lengthy sentence.
“Apparently our justice system doesn’t get it,” said Anita, “you know, thinking yeah lets hand out a youth sentence for someone that wrecked five lives not just two.”
Lysbeth Arthur survived the crash but was in a coma and suffered a brain injury. She had to learn to walk and talk again.
She says the message about drinking and driving just isn’t getting out.
“This sort of thing happens so many times,” said Arthur, “we’ve heard countless times even after the collision.”
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The defence requested a youth sentence of a maximum one year in custody.
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Court heard that the teen had been at two parties the night of the crash. Her friends tried to take her keys away, but she refused. Court heard she often texted and drove.
The Crown alleged she planned to drink and drive, based on a text message exchange with a friend.
“I’m not sure what kind of message we’re sending out to not just youth but people in general that think they’re above the law just like this individual did,” said Anita.
Her sister Amutha would have graduated from University this year and she would have become an Aunt in November.
“She didn’t have any say on how her life was supposed to go.”
With files from CJOB
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