EDMONTON — An Alberta driver has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for causing a crash that killed a man and his wife and injured their young son.
Olga Nixon, who is 63, will also be prohibited from driving for three years after she is released.
Court heard that in 2006, Nixon drove her motor home through a four-way stop near Andrew, a small town northeast of Edmonton, and rammed Wade and Karen Andriashek’s vehicle.
Police originally charged Nixon with impaired driving, but there were problems with evidence and the prosecutor eventually agreed to an $1,800 traffic fine for careless driving.
Senior Crown officials went back on the deal and the defence appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.
The top court ruled prosecutors have the right to renege on a plea bargain and Nixon later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Her defence lawyer, Brian Beresh, had argued for a conditional sentence that Nixon could serve at home. But Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Darlene Acton said the woman needed to serve time behind bars.
“I’m just glad it’s all over,” Wade Andriashek’s mother, Shirley Andriashek, said outside court Friday. She has been caring for the couple’s son, Jesse, since the crash.
“I’m raising a boy who’s an orphan. He’s now 14. It’s been a tough seven years.”
Beresh said the lengthy delays in the case have also been difficult for his client and her family.
“They are very distraught about the situation, because they have seen the toll it has taken on her and how she has aged as a result.”
Beresh said he will review the judge’s sentencing decision to determine whether to appeal the case again.