Awaiting sentencing.
The family of Erin Vance leaves the Ottawa Courthouse on the morning of Dec. 5, following the conclusion of the sentence hearing of Jeremy Rees. Rees was remanded into custody to await sentencing, expected to be handed down Monday morning.
Steph Willems
The court proceedings of the West Carleton man accused of running down Erin Vance in a March 18 impaired driving crash ended Monday morning, though the sentencing for 23-year-old Jeremy Rees was deferred until Dec. 10.
In September, Rees pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and leaving the scene of a crash, following the early morning collision in Constance Bay that killed Vance, a 26-year-old mother of twin boys. Vance and a friend had been walking home from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
They were coming from the Point Lounge when she was struck by a car driven by Rees, who had been seen drinking at the same bar.
The court heard an emotional victim impact statement from Vance’s brother John, and was shown photographs taken at the scene of the crash. One of them showed an open cooler of beer in Rees’ backseat, with another showing an open can of Molson Canadian in the front seat cupholder.
In his statement, John Alexander Vance spoke of the emotional turmoil he and his family continue to experience as a result of the crash.
“Since Erin’s death I’ve experienced a level of stress and anxiety I never thought possible,” the statement read.
“The thought that my two beautiful, tender-hearted nephews will have to grow up without the love and support of their mother makes me absolutely sick with grief, anger and misery.”
Crown prosecutor Matthew Humphreys asked for a six year sentence and a 10-year driving ban for Rees, as well as the submission of a DNA sample. Humphreys argued that the sentence would be appropriate given the serious nature of the offences.
Since his arrest, Rees has spent 12 days in pre-trial custody and 250 days on bail in his mother’s care. Humphreys stated that the time Rees has spent living under bail conditions should not be taken away from his sentence.
Defence lawyer Paolo Giancaterino asked for three to four years imprisonment for his client, as well as a five-year driving ban.
Before court was adjourned, Rees read aloud a statement to the victim’s family expressing his condolences.
“I am extremely ashamed of what I have done,” he said. “You have no idea of how sorry I am for your loss.”
Rees was remanded into custody to await his Dec. 10 sentencing.
The judge had planned to deliver the sentence on Dec. 5, but said she would need more time to arrive at a decision.