Family and friends of a 23-year-old woman killed by an impaired driver in 2011 were in a Barrie courtroom on Thursday as lawyers made their final arguments.

Christopher Dubreuil may not remember getting behind the wheel impaired and colliding head-on with another vehicle that caused the death of Ashley Fogal and seriously injuried her friend but he will soon be going to jail.

“His life will continue on, my life is forever changed, forever hurt, forever never the same,” says Susan Fogal.

Ashley Fogal’s family and friends packed the courtroom as crown and defence lawyers submitted arguments for sentencing. In November, Dubreuil plead guilty to impaired driving causing death and bodily harm.

“It’s just heart-wrenching to go through this process and be here and it’s kind showing that this is the end of everything and makes her death feel so much more real,” added Fogal.

The crash happened back on August 11, 2011 – Ashley and Alyssa Blight were on their way to a concert at Casino Rama that night. Dubreuil had been drinking and left his hotel in Rama to drive back to Oshawa to get his ID so he could get into Casino Rama. The court heard that had between 90 and 130 milligrams of alcohol in his system and medication to treat anxiety.  Shortly after leave the hotel Dubreuil’s vehicle crossed the centre line and crashed head on with Fogal’s vehicle.

In court on Thursday – crown attorney Kristine Staats said, “Mr. Dubreuil chose to leave a place of safety and his choice to do that in the condition he was – impaired by alcohol and in combination with Lorazepam – is aggravating.”

The crown is asking for a four year sentence saying that night Dubreuil ought to be aware of the risk of drinking and driving poses in that state and he chose t to drive anyways.

The defence says Dubreuil accepts responsibility for what happened but is asking for a lesser sentence of two year in jail with probation.

“The driving in this case was not as serious as other cases where higher penalties have been issued. The background of the accused is favourable, he has no prior record, he has not had anything to drink since the accident but there was a death involved and that requires a serious penalty,” says defence lawyer Allan Risen.

Ashley’s family are trying to focus their grief in spreading awareness about the consequences of driving impaired. They’re hoping for a lengthy sentence to deter others.

 “It needs to stop and if people start thinking that maybe they will in jail a little bit longer if they are caught, they will think twice before getting into the car impaired,” added Fogal.

Justice Michael Brown will now review the arguments and case law presented by both lawyers and will sentence Dubreuil in May.