Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has reached a settlement with two corporations that served Catherine McKay the night her vehicle struck a car carrying the Van de Vorst family.
The out-of-court settlements involve SGI as well as the Industrial Kitchen and Lounge Corporation and MCDE Holdings Ltd., which operated Crackers Licensed Cocktail & Dining Room.
During criminal proceedings, court heard how McKay’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash at Highway 11 and Wanuskewin Road in January 2016.
The collision claimed the lives of Jordan Van de Vorst, 34, and his wife Chanda who was 33. Their children, Kamryn, 5, and Miguire, 2, would later die in hospital.
Jordan’s father Lou Van de Vorst said the settlement sends a message to bars.
“Something has to wake people up (and) make them realize that they have to be responsible and should be responsible for their actions and with the consequences of their actions,” Lou Van de Vorst said.
In line with the agreement, terms of the settlement will not be disclosed, according to SGI.
The lawsuit marked the first time SGI sued a liquor establishment, though it will take similar action in the future if the situation warrants it, SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy said.
“We want to make sure that impaired driving doesn’t rob anybody else of their life. This was a very sad case … it’s a difficult one to talk about, really,” McMurchy said.
The insurance company also sued McKay herself, writing in a statement of claim that all resulting loss, damage and injuries were caused solely by her negligence.
According to the court document, McKay’s speed, impairment and lack of due care and attention were some of the contributing factors in the crash.
McKay never delivered a defence to the statement and the court ordered she pay SGI more than $96,000 plus other fees.
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