Danille Kerpan’s family and friends sobbed in a Saskatoon courtroom Tuesday as they awaited a sentencing for the man guilty of impaired driving in her death.
The emotional day, marked by victim impact statement after victim impact statement shedding light into 25-year-old Kerpan’s life, came to an end after several hours with a judge sentencing John Koch to four years in prison.
Court heard Koch, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to impaired driving causing death for his role in the October 2014 crash that killed Kerpan, was driving on the wrong side of Highway 11, near Bladworth, Sask., when his truck collided head-on with her car.
The 50-year-old told the judge he was deeply sorry and feels guilty every day. He wished he was killed instead of Kerpan, he said.
Kerpan, who was from Kenaston, Sask., was an intelligent, athletic person who was full of life and always willing to help others, according to the many victim impact statements read in court. Her death left several people feeling heartbroken and empty.
Her family has been pushing for tougher drunk-driving penalties since her death, and her father told media outside court he felt Koch’s sentence — which included a seven-year driving ban following the four years in prison — raises the bar on penalties in the province.
“I think the public ought to look at what happened here today, and go away from this today, saying I think we’re starting to take this more seriously in Saskatchewan,” Allan Kerpan said.
Saskatchewan has the highest rate of drinking and driving charges in the country, according to RCMP.
Danille was one of 55 people killed by drinking and driving in the province in 2014.
