R. v. Melnyk (T.D.), (1997) 156 Sask.R. 179 (QB)

• Judge: Gerein, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Saskatchewan (Canada)
• Case Date: July 04, 1997
• Jurisdiction: Saskatchewan
• Citations: (1997), 156 Sask.R. 179 (QB)

R. v. Melnyk (T.D.) (1997), 156 Sask.R. 179 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [1997] Sask.R. TBEd. AU.008

Her Majesty The Queen v. Todd David Melnyk

(1997 Q.B No. 79)

Indexed As: R. v. Melnyk (T.D.)

Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial Centre of Regina

Gerein, J.

July 4, 1997.

Summary:

The accused pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death.

The Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench sentenced the accused to 15 months' impris­onment, which was to be served in the community provided the accused complied with certain conditions. The court also imposed 18 months' probation and a three year driving prohibition.

Criminal Law - Topic 5720.4

Punishments (sentence) - Conditional sentence - When appropriate - [See Cri­minal Law - Topic 5865.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5865.1

Sentence - Dangerous driving causing death - The accused pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death - The 21 year old accused drove in excess of the speed limit - He failed to observe the highway change from two lanes to four lanes - He struck a sign in the median and lost control of the vehicle which rolled - A passenger was killed - The accused's ability to drive was impaired by alcohol to some extent, although he was not likely over the legal limit - The accused made a mistake in judgment as opposed to wilfully and deliberately engaging in dangerous driving practices - No prior record - Remorseful - The Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench sentenced the accused to 15 months' imprisonment, which was to be served in the community provided the accused complied with certain conditions - The court also imposed 18 months' pro­bation and a three year driving prohibition.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Van De Wiele (A.) (1997), 152 Sask.R. 65; 140 W.A.C. 65 (C.A.), consd. [para. 12].

R. v. MacDonald (D.P.) (1997), 152 Sask.R. 81; 140 W.A.C. 81 (C.A.), consd. [para. 12].

R. v. Pierce (M.) (1997), 97 O.A.C. 253; 32 O.R.(3d) 321 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. J.W. (1997), 99 O.A.C. 161 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Pederson (D.G.) (1997), 152 Sask.R. 219; 140 W.A.C. 219 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. D.W.C. (1997), 152 Sask.R. 224; 140 W.A.C. 224 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Faubert (V.) (1997), 152 Sask.R. 228; 140 W.A.C. 228 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Horvath (B.A.) (1997), 152 Sask.R. 277; 140 W.A.C. 277 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Awasis (1989), 78 Sask.R. 156 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 16].

R. v. Bear (L.E.) (1994), 120 Sask.R. 294; 68 W.A.C. 294 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. Eashappie (C.O.) (1994), 120 Sask.R. 161; 68 W.A.C. 161 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. Schneider (D.P.) (1994), 123 Sask.R. 162; 74 W.A.C. 162 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. G.J.N. (1997), 152 Sask.R. 158; 140 W.A.C. 158 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 19].

R. v. Boreen (P.) (1997), 152 Sask.R. 153; 140 W.A.C. 153 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 19].

R. v. Parker (R.D.R.) (1997), 154 N.S.R.(2d) 289; 452 A.P.R. 289 (S.C.), affd. (1997), 159 N.S.R.(2d) 166; 468 A.P.R. 166 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. McKay (D.L.) (1997), 154 Sask.R. 38 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Stevens (V.J.) (1997), 115 Man.R.(2d) 300; 139 W.A.C. 300 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 41].

Counsel:

W.T. Jennings, for the Crown;

W.M. Rusnak, for the accused.

This matter was heard before Gerein, J., of the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial Centre of Regina, who delivered the following judgment on July 4, 1997.