A parole hearing scheduled for a Lacombe woman convicted in a drunk driving crash that killed two Red Deer teenagers has been cancelled.
April Gail Beauclair, 33, was convicted in October 2012 of two counts impaired driving causing death and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in custody.
Early March 31, 2012, Beauclair drove her car at about 110 km/h into the back of a vehicle being pushed along Hwy 11A by three Red Deer teens.
Colton Keeler, 19, died at the scene. Tyson Vanderzwaag, 18, died in hospital six days after the crash.
The car’s driver was pushing from the side of the car and suffered serious injuries.
The three were attempted to push start their disabled car.
A Parole Board of Canada news release on Thursday said Beauclair had requested her parole hearing, scheduled for either Aug. 6 or 7, be cancelled.
She also withdrew her application for day parole.
The hearing was to determine if Beauclair was eligible for unescorted temporary absences.
Temporary absences may be approved for reasons including medical, administrative purposes, community service, family contact, personal development for rehabilitative purposes and compassionate reasons, including parental responsibilities.
Beauclair has a checkered history when it comes to parole on thee charges: at one point she was released on day parole and then had it revoked.
She was denied full parole in November 2013, but had been granted day parole prior to that. At the time, the parole board ruled Beauclair needed a more structured environment. At that hearing, Beauclair said she had driven drunk more than 50 times before the morning of the fatal crash.
Then on Oct. 1, 2014, the parole board revoked her day parole due to a number of concerns about Beauclair’s behaviour. The parole board cited missed counselling and program sessions that were part of her release conditions for day parole. She also cancelled her programs without consulting her parole officer.
Beauclair is eligible for her statutory release on Sept. 9. Statutory release is mandated by law and not granted by the parole board. Most offenders receive their statutory release after serving two-thirds of their sentence. However, the parole board can impose conditions on the offender’s release.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com