Driver in fatal Saskatoon crash sentenced to two years

The driver responsible for a 2024 fatal crash in Saskatoon has been handed a two-year sentence. CTV’s Stacey Hein has more on the judge’s decision.

The driver responsible for a high-speed crash in Saskatoon that killed a 22-year-old woman and left another woman paralyzed has been handed a two-year sentence.

Wylie Vermette was driving a truck at 128 km/h, more than double the speed limit, on Quebec Avenue around 6 p.m. on June 11, 2024, when he collided with an SUV, sending four people to hospital.

One passenger, 22-year-old Natalie Gardipy, later died in hospital. Two others suffered serious injuries, including Brandi Keenatch, who was left paraplegic.

Earlier this year, Vermette pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

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In a decision delivered Friday, Justice Daryl Labach accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from the Crown and defence. Labach noted a judge can reject a joint sentencing recommendation only if the proposed sentence would be so inappropriate that it would undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Vermette was sentenced to two years for dangerous driving causing death. He was also sentenced on the two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, with those sentences to be served concurrently.

After receiving five days credit for time served, he will serve his sentence in a provincial correctional facility. He was also handed a seven-year driving prohibition and is required to complete 100 hours of community service.