Teen Sentenced for Fatal High-Speed Crash that Killed Sister and Friend
Calgary— A Calgary courtroom was filled with emotion as a teenager was sentenced for a high-speed crash that killed her sister and a friend. The incident, which occurred in July 2021, saw the teen driving 190 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, leading to a devastating rollover near Springbank.
The Incident
On the night of July 14, 2021, four teenage girls attended a field party in northwest Calgary. The group included the 16-year-old driver, her 17-year-old sister, and two 17-year-old friends. Initially, the older sister drove, but after consuming alcohol, it was decided that the younger, unlicensed sister would drive the group home.
The Crash
Around 12:30 a.m., while traveling on Range Road 32, the driver lost control of the BMW SUV. The vehicle rolled multiple times, ejecting two passengers who were not wearing seatbelts. One friend, thrown 85 meters from the vehicle, died instantly. The driver’s sister also died at the scene, while another friend was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
The driver, who is now 19, pleaded guilty last December to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing injury. On Tuesday, Justice Indra Maharaj sentenced her to two years of probation with community service and a five-year driving ban. The judge, visibly moved, called the incident a “tragedy” and acknowledged the profound impact on all involved.
Victim Impact Statements
Ten victim impact statements were read during the hearing, highlighting the profound grief and trauma experienced by the families and surviving victims. The mother of the injured friend described her daughter’s harrowing recovery from multiple fractures, a traumatic brain injury, and a collapsed lung. The sisters’ father hosted monthly fireworks parties to honor his deceased daughter, a decision that excluded the families of the other victims, deepening the community’s pain.
Snapchat Evidence
A Snapchat video, surfacing months after the accident, revealed the SUV’s speed at the time of the crash, contradicting initial claims that a vehicle malfunction caused the incident. This revelation intensified the emotional and social fallout for the survivors, who faced bullying and exclusion from their peers.
A Tearful Apology
In her statement to the court, the driver expressed deep remorse, apologizing individually to each victim’s family. “The word ‘sorry’ is nowhere near sufficient but I hope you know I am; I am sorry that I failed,” she said.
A Community Torn
The crash has left the community grappling with loss and division. The family of the other girl who died emphasized the need for acknowledgment and healing. “Somewhere in all of the pain we must find a way to heal,” they wrote in their statement. The prosecutor noted the driver’s visible devastation over her actions, highlighting the lasting impact of this tragedy on everyone involved.