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
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.