Posted: Apr 09, 2021 5:00 AM CT | Last Updated: April 9
Steven Theriault was driving a vehicle that crashed on Highway 3 last year, killing a female passenger.(Submitted by RCMP)
A 45-year-old Northwest Territories man whose dangerous driving claimed the life of a young mother has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison and banned from driving for the rest of his life.
About 20 friends and relatives of the woman who died in the crash were in a Yellowknife courtroom on Thursday for the sentencing of Steven Theriault on dangerous driving causing death and other charges.
Theriault did not look at them as he entered the room, dressed in jail-issued green t-shirt and grey sweatpants.
Death result of a sudden reaction, defence argues
In court, Harte argued that the level of Beck s intoxication meant he was not of sound mind, and argued that Sayine had provoked Beck.
According to the agreed statement of facts, Sayine had attacked Beck numerous times that day, resulting in a gash above his eyebrows in addition to bruises on his face.
The pair had a history of violence. They d known each other their entire lives, Beck testified in court on Feb. 17.
He said they had even been best friends at one point, but that relationship soured after an altercation between the two when Sayine stole alcohol from Beck s grandmother. Beck ran after Sayine to retrieve what was stolen, but they fought instead.