Georgian Bay man faces sentencing for deadly impaired driving crash on Hwy 12
Warning: Content in this article may be distressing for readers.
A sentencing hearing got underway for the 72-year-old Georgian Bay man convicted of driving impaired and causing a collision on Highway 12 in 2020 that claimed the life of a 77-year-old Midland man.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Sigfrid Stahn arrived at the Barrie courthouse on Wednesday, saying the court case and impending sentencing have left him sleepless.
"It's been keeping me up at night. I'm sorry about what happened. But I feel like it could have been avoided as well. The outcome is what it is now. I can't change what happened," Stahn said.
On July 4, 2020, Stahn was travelling east on Highway 12 in Waubaushene when his truck collided with Guenter Naumann's car as it approached west.
A pickup truck and convertible car are pictured after a deadly head-on collision on Highway 12 in Waubaushene, Ont., on July 4, 2020. (Source: OPP/Court Exhibit)
Witnesses testified Stahn was driving erratically before the crash that happened at a bend in the road between Frazer Lane and Gratrix Road, sending Naumann's car airborne before it slammed into the road.
Naumann, a husband, father and grandfather, was airlifted to a trauma centre and died a week later.
"You took the love of my life away," Naumann's wife of 28 years, Rejeanne Lachapelle, said in the courtroom on Wednesday. "I lost my home because of you," she added.
Crown attorney Sarah Sullivan told the court Stahn's prior history of impaired driving offences demonstrates a "blatant, persistent disregard for the privilege of driving in this country."
During the trial, the Crown told the court Stahn chose to drive drunk, causing the "senseless head-on collision," which Stahn said he had no recollection of and only learned the details in the two-week trial.
A pickup truck and convertible car are pictured after a deadly head-on collision on Highway 12 in Waubaushene, Ont., on July 4, 2020. (Source: OPP/Court Exhibit)
Justice Michael McKelvey also highlighted Stahn's previous convictions, stating, "he doesn't seem to learn his lesson."
The judge added the 72-year-old "doesn't get the mitigating factor of someone who is remorseful. That message doesn't seem to have sunk in yet."
The Crown is asking for a nine-year penitentiary sentence and subsequent driving ban for 15 years, while the defence argues Stahn should be sentenced to six years.
Justice McKelvey is scheduled to hand down sentencing on June 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.