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Stucka sentenced to 10 years for involvement in fatal crash

Jul 6, 2018 | 5:00 PM

A man facing charges related to a crash in the RM of Wilton, Sask., Sept. 22, 2017, that killed three women and caused injuries to another woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison when he appeared in Queen’s Bench Court in Battleford Friday.

Brandon Stucka, 27, of Lloydminster, was facing charges related to a crash that killed Edmonton women – Jeannette Wright, Glorious David and Eva Tumbay and caused serious injuries to another woman, was sentenced to 10 years in jail, less 14 months time served.

He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal negligence causing death and to one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. He also pleaded guilty to flight from a peace officer, failure to stop at the scene of accident, possession of property obtained by crime (a Dodge truck valued at over $5,000), break and enter to a business, and to a breach of a cufew condition.

It was an emotional day during the sentencing hearing as victim impact statements were read by families, Liberian community members and the church most of the victims attended. Families of the victims and friends drove from Edmonton for the proceedings. 

The court heard among the aggravating factors was Stucka’s recklessness in his behaviour. 

After taking a heavy picker-truck from a business, Stucka drove it to the farm rendezvous point. When police tried to stop him, he drove off at a high speed. Although police aborted the chase, Stucka continued traveling in the truck, eventually turning onto Highway 16, while driving in the wrong direction. When his vehicle crashed head on into the victims’ van, instead of offering assistance he took off on foot before being arrested by poilce.

Among the mitigating factors were Stucka’s young age, and his challenges with addiction. He was also dealing with some mental health issues.

Victim impact statements moving

Many people in the court room cried as the victim impact statements were read aloud in court.

Rev. Glory Blamo, the husband of Glorious David who died as a result of the crash, read his out loud.

He said after court it was important for him to talk about forgiveness to Stucka in court because it’s “the only way I’ll free myself.” 

Stucka also broke down sobbing as victims’ families told him they forgave him for his actions. Stucka, who wore a cross around his neck, also expressed his remorse to the people in the courtroom.

Justice Gerald Allbright sentenced Stucka to 10 years in prison less 14 months time served. In the break down, Stucka received eight years concurrent for criminal negligence causing death for each of three counts, and separately for criminal negligence causing bodily harm. He was also sentenced to one year consecutive each for flight from a peace officer and for leaving the scene of the accident. He received one year concurrent for each of possession of property obtained by crime, and break and enter to a business. He also received three months concurrent for breaching a condition of a curfew.

He also received a ten year driving prohibition and a DNA order.

Allbright said to Stucka after reading his sentence: “Your sentence ends. Their’s doesn’t.”

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW