The mother of a 22-year-old woman killed by a reckless driver does not believe a two-year sentence is sufficient for the man responsible for a crash in Saskatoon's Kelsey Woodlawn area that claimed her daughter's life and left two others with lasting injuries.
Victim's Family Speaks Out
"He needs to know it's not enough and he needs to be held accountable for his actions," Marcella Kyplain stated outside Saskatoon King's Bench Court on Thursday following a sentencing hearing for Wylie Gunnar Vermette.
Kyplain's daughter, Natalie Gardipy, died after Vermette's Dodge Ram truck collided with a Cadillac SUV at the intersection of Quebec Avenue and 39th Street East around 6:13 p.m. on June 11, 2024.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
Video evidence presented in court showed Vermette's truck striking the SUV on the driver's side as the SUV was proceeding from a stop sign. Court heard that Vermette was traveling approximately 128 kilometers per hour, with a speed of 103 km/h at the moment of impact.
In January, Vermette, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
Following the fatal collision, an inspection of his truck revealed it was not roadworthy due to several illegal modifications. The vehicle's rear brakes were non-functional, and the truck was unregistered.
Joint Submission and Court Proceedings
The Crown and defense presented a joint submission to Justice Daryl Labach, requesting a two-year jail term for Vermette, followed by two years of probation. Additionally, he would be prohibited from driving for seven years after his release. Many attendees in the gallery shook their heads in disagreement upon hearing the proposed sentence.
Justice Labach reserved his decision until June 19.
Vermette addressed the court, acknowledging he made a mistake and expressing his intention to take responsibility for his actions.
Victim Impact Statements
Cheyanne Charles, the father of Gardipy's son, was among seven individuals who delivered victim impact statements. His mother read his statement as he became too emotional to continue. She highlighted that Vermette still has his mother, who was present in court to support him. "It must be nice to have your mom," she read from her son's statement.
Gardipy's mother urged the judge to consider the recklessness of Vermette's actions. She expressed doubt about his remorse, noting he did not offer an apology in court.
Kyplain described her daughter as a "beautiful person" who should still be raising her son and spending time with her family. "She's too good to be gone so early," she said outside the court.
The crash also left Brandi Keenatch, Gardipy's partner, confined to a wheelchair. Her aunt, Loretta Snakeskin, stated that Keenatch can no longer live independently and requires assistance caring for her children. "We're going to live with this for the rest of our lives; we're just trying to get through the days," she said.
