Woman sentenced to a year in jail after fatal collision in 2018 near Elsipogtog First Nation
On Thursday a Moncton judge sentenced a woman to a year in jail for dangerous driving which killed a 27-year-old man in 2018.
Danielle Lortz, 37 crashed head-on into Ryan Ward’s vehicle on Route 116 near Elsipogtog First Nation, while he was on his way to work at Tim Hortons in Richibucto on Feb. 22, 2018.
Court of Queen's Bench Justice Jean-Paul Ouellette sentenced Lortz to twelve months in jail on Thursday. Lortz is also prohibited from driving and will be placed on probation for five years.
Lortz was found guilty by a jury in December 2020.
"You can’t kill someone and get away with it so I’m happy with what she got," said Jessica Ward, the victim’s sister.
Her father, Fred Ward spoke to the risks some drivers take by crossing yellow lines on the road.
"When her year is up, she’ll return to her family, but our son won’t," Fred Ward said.
On Wednesday, the court heard Lortz express her apologies to the family after Jessica Ward shared their victim impact statements.
Lortz said she knew Ryan for years and described him as having a big heart.
She could not explain what happened as she says she had no memory of the crash. Ouellette said no drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident and that the driving conditions were ideal at the time.
In sentencing Lortz, the judge took into account her remorse and her understanding as to how her actions have devastated Ryan’s family.
Lortz’s defence attorney, James Matheson said the outcome is what they had anticipated.
While the defence previously argued the Criminal Code of Canada violated Lortz's rights by making her ineligible for a conditional sentence, she was given a custodial sentence.
The judge dismissed the defence’s application.
"I think we’re all emotionally exhausted," said Matheson when asked if there would be an appeal filed.
"I’ll leave that to the family to decide."
After three years, the family says they are exhausted but they are pleased with the outcome
"We’re glad it’s over. We have more peace now," said Jessica Ward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.