Three year prison sentence for Okanagan drunk driver who caused deaths of two friends

Travis Dustin Fox has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and banned from driving for one year for causing a March 2016 single-vehicle crash that killed two of his friends.

Paige Whitelaw and Carlee De Boer both died at the scene after the pickup truck they were passengers in went off of Highway 6 near Waddington Drive in Vernon and landed on its roof.

Both women were 20-years-old and students at Okanagan College.  De Boer was from Enderby and Whitelaw was a resident of Vancouver Island.

On Friday morning, Fox pleaded guilty to six counts including impaired driving causing death.

The night of the crash, Fox got behind the wheel of the pickup, carrying four of his friends, after the group finished drinking at a Vernon nightclub.

Crown counsel said at one point before the crash Fox was travelling more than twice the 60 km/hr speed limit and described his driving as reckless and careless.

Two other young men were injured in the collision.

Fox’s lawyers emphasized he made an early guilty plea and his actions that night were out of character.

Fox tearfully addressed the court and read from a prepared statement.

“I’m here today to take responsibility for my actions,” the 22-year-old said.

“I know there is nothing I can say or do that can fix what has happened. I am very sorry to the families of Carlee and Paige. I wish I could bring them back or trade places with them.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I know there is nothing I can say or do that can fix what has happened. I am very sorry to the families of Carlee and Paige. I wish I could bring them back or trade places with them."

In handing down the sentence, Judge Mayland McKimm noted Fox had entered an early guilty plea and otherwise lead a positive life but had been speeding excessively before the crash and was impaired at almost twice the legal limit.

“It is apparent that young people drinking, driving and causing carnage is a blight on our society…and that severe penalties will have the effect of deterring others,” McKimm said.

Defence counsel argued for a 2-4 year custodial sentence and a 1-3 year driving prohibition.

Crown counsel was asking for 4-6 years imprisonment with a 3-5 year driving prohibition.