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
India suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Canada's leader said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape
The interim leader of Canada's newest federal party says he wants it to be an option for people who are tired of both the governing Liberals and the "rage farming" coming from the Conservatives.
Cutting obituary for B.C. man thanks karma for 'doing what she does best'
Few obituaries begin with the words, "I am pleased to announce" – but Amanda Denis believes in blunt honesty.
Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Thousands of people gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday for competing protests, screaming and chanting at each other about school policies on gender identity.
Video shows officer repeatedly discussed charging 11-year-old victim with child sexual abuse offence
A Columbus police officer summoned to a home by a father concerned his 11-year-old daughter was being solicited by an adult man repeatedly asserted that the girl could face charges for sending explicit images of herself.
Canada showcases tragic wildfire season to promote carbon pricing initiative at UN
The federal government is hoping Canada's devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.
Younger Canadians are not having children. Here's why, according to Statistics Canada
Younger Canadians are being impacted by many compounding issues including the high cost of living, which is one of the reasons they aren't having children, a new report by Statistics Canada shows.
Russia strikes cities from east to west Ukraine, starting fires and killing at least 2
Russian missiles pounded cities across Ukraine early Thursday morning, according to authorities, sparking fires, killing at least two people and trapping others under rubble, and Ukrainian ally Poland said it would stop providing weapons amid a trade dispute.
Immediately stop using these child safety seats: Health Canada
Health Canada has issued a safety advisory asking Canadians to immediately stop using certain child safety seats due to injury risks.
Atlantic
-
Simultaneous protests and counter-protests across the Maritimes on gender education in schools
Hundreds of protesters turned up across the Maritimes at simultaneous protests and counter-protests Wednesday centered around LGBTQ2S+ education in schools.
-
Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Thousands of people gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday for competing protests, screaming and chanting at each other about school policies on gender identity.
-
'It's not our problem. We didn't create this': N.S. advocates say RCMP apology pointless without action
A day after Nova Scotia's RCMP Commander announced the force would be apologizing to the black community for generations of street checks, some advocates say concrete changes are needed, or it's all wasted air.
Montreal
-
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif announces retirement from professional soccer
The 32-year-old Quebecer officially announced his retirement from professional soccer on Thursday morning.
-
Two Montreal Island towns file court challenge to Quebec language law reform
Two Montreal suburbs filed a court challenge today to Quebec's 2022 language reform, seeking to be exempted from several articles of the law commonly known as Bill 96.
-
Man, 19, sent to hospital after stabbing in St-Michel
A 19-year-old man was rushed to hospital Wednesday night after he was critically injured in an armed assault in Montreal’s Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough.
Ottawa
-
Three arrests made at 'Million March for Children' protest on Parliament Hill
Ottawa police say two people have been arrested for inciting hatred at the 'One Million March for Children' protest on Parliament Hill Wednesday and a third person was arrested for causing a disturbance.
-
Final few days of summer starts with a chill, but temperatures rise with clear, sunny skies
Final few days of summer starts with a chill, but temperatures rise with clear, sunny skies
-
Carling high-rise proposal passes planning committee despite federal concerns
A controversial proposal to build two high-rise towers on Carling Avenue, directly across the street from the Central Experimental Farm, has once again passed at the city's planning and housing committee.
Toronto
-
Oshawa shooting leaves one person dead
One person is dead following a shooting in Oshawa.
-
TTC says subway service has resumed on Line 1 with 'minor delays' after early morning problem
The TTC says subway service has resumed on Line 1 after nearly half the line was shut down due to a signal problem during the early morning rush.
-
'I was so shook up': Ontario senior says she was charged nearly $3,000 for replacement garage door opener
An Ontario senior has a warning for homeowners after she says a contractor overcharged her, demanding thousands of dollars to replace her garage door opener.
Kitchener
-
Protests for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education in Kitchener and Guelph
Hundreds gathered in downtown Kitchener and Guelph Wednesday for competing protests over LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education.
-
Driver dies after vehicle fire in Brant County: OPP
A driver has died after police say a vehicle was found on fire in Brant County on Wednesday afternoon.
-
Musicians launch grassroots fundraiser to save the K-W Symphony
Local musicians are hoping to spread the word about a grassroots attempt to save the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, days after it abruptly cancelled its upcoming season.
London
-
Veltman murder trial: Here’s what you need to know before day 10
The jury was not in attendance on Wednesday and the cross examination of the detective who interviewed Nathaniel Veltman in the hours after the attack on the Afzaal family continued on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know before court resumes on Thursday.
-
Former Beals Raiders mark 50 years of running on high school track
Two former Beal Secondary School cross-country runners hit the track Wednesday – 50 years after they first rain for the school.
-
Here are the addresses where London’s homeless hub locations are being proposed
A report released by city hall details the bids received to operate the first, up to five, low-barrier service hubs for Londoners experiencing homelessness.
Northern Ontario
-
Commercial truck gets stuck at Sudbury job site
No injuries were reported Wednesday afternoon when a commercial truck got stuck at a construction site in Greater Sudbury.
-
India suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Canada's leader said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
-
Garden River FN shakes up council, elects new chief
Garden River First Nation has undergone a major shakeup around its council table.
Windsor
-
Veltman murder trial: Here’s what you need to know before day 10
The jury was not in attendance on Wednesday and the cross examination of the detective who interviewed Nathaniel Veltman in the hours after the attack on the Afzaal family continued on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know before court resumes on Thursday.
-
Driver clocked going nearly double limit on Cabana Rd
A driver has been charged with stunt driving after being clocked speeding nearly double the posted limit.
-
University Players will launch season with twist on Shakespeare classic Macbeth
The University Players kick off their season with one of Shakespeare's great tragedies – Macbeth in October.
Calgary
-
Alberta set to release report on benefits, drawbacks of quitting Canada Pension Plan
Premier Danielle Smith is set to release a report that could lead to a vote on whether Alberta should ditch the Canada Pension Plan.
-
Calgarians, for and against gender and sexual diversity education, engage in protest
Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Calgary on Wednesday to protest against, or to show their support for, the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in local schools.
-
Police searching rural property north of Calgary for evidence connected to missing man
Police have revealed they are searching a rural property north of Calgary for evidence connected to the disappearance of a Calgary man missing since late August.
Saskatoon
-
Protesters face off in Saskatoon over school pronoun policy
Hundreds of people descended on downtown Saskatoon Wednesday as duelling protests squared off over a policy recently introduced by the Saskatchewan government.
-
'It was so scary': Saskatoon couple raising funds to rebuild after fire
The owners of a home that was devastated by fire last week in the Massey Place neighbourhood are looking for support as they put their lives back together.
-
RCMP identify remains of Sask. woman missing since July
RCMP have identified human remains found near North Battleford last week as 20-year-old Nitanas Scarlett, reported missing on Aug. 7.
Edmonton
-
UCP stands behind MLA who spoke at LGBTQ2S+ policy protest in Red Deer
While Alberta's United Conservative Party has "not made any decisions" regarding LGBTQ2S+ policies in schools, a spokesperson said the UCP has no issue with an MLA joining protesters.
-
LGBTQ2S+ policies in schools subject of protests and counter-protests in Edmonton, Canada
Protesters from the MillionMarch4Children gathered outside the Alberta Teachers' Association building on 142 Street and 110 Avenue Wednesday morning, to protest what they call 'gender ideology' in Canada's schools.
-
City council mulls keeping Blatchford LRT station closed until neighbourhood fills out
The new LRT line into the Blatchford neighbourhood on the former municipal airport lands in north Edmonton is nearly complete, but one of the two new stations slated for it likely won't be open for years to come.
Vancouver
-
Brawl breaks out amid duelling Vancouver protests over LGBTQ2S+ education
Violence erupted between opponents and supporters of LGBTQ2S+ education during a pair of duelling protests held in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday.
-
Ministers in the hot seat at UBCM as mayors and councillors ask tough questions
The annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention was in full swing on Wednesday, with mayors and councillors taking the rare opportunity to ask cabinet ministers tough questions in front of their peers.
-
B.C. will take 'bigger role' in addressing short-term rentals, housing minister says
B.C.’s housing minister has confirmed the province will be taking “a bigger role in addressing short-term rentals” when new legislation is introduced in the fall.
