The Crown is trying to appeal a decision to sentence a man to house arrest for his role in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl and left her mother seriously hurt. The head-on collision happened south of Brantford, Ont., along a stretch of Oakland Road, on Feb. 11, 2022. Darris Wilson, a 31-year-old man from Six Nations of the Grand River, admitted he was behind the wheel when he suddenly swerved his pickup truck into oncoming traffic, causing the crash. He had been travelling at 88 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. A witness described seeing Wilson’s truck drift toward the shoulder twice before it suddenly swerved into the opposite lane. The court was told there was no evidence of braking. Naomi Beverly and her daughter Sierra were in the other vehicle. Sierra died at the crash site while Naomi broke numerous bones and had serious head trauma. Naomi now needs 24-hour supervision due to ongoing physical and cognitive impairments. In August 2025, Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous operation causing death and one count of dangerous operation causing bodily harm. He was sentenced to house arrest on Sept. 8. The judge in the case, Justice Gethin Edward, cited Gladue principles as factors in his decision. Those principles require courts to consider an Indigenous person’s background when they are being sentenced. The Notice of Appeal document filed on Oct. 7 accuses Edward of imposing a sentence that is “demonstrably unfit.” If the appeal is granted, the Crown wants Wilson’s sentence to be set aside and, instead of house arrest, they want him to serve four years behind bars. Friends, family and supporters of Naomi and Sierra Beverly had started a petition asking people to reach out to the Crown’s office and the Ministry of the Attorney General urging them to appeal the sentence. In a news release, petition organizers said, “We see deep sadness, anger, a sense of helplessness and distrust. This petition has been initiated for Sierra and all who knew her and continue in their healing. But perhaps this incident and its impact can offer a united community in the pursuit of true justice and regained faith.” Meanwhile, Sierra’s family also acknowledged the appeal. “Naomi Beverly and Sierra Beverly’s family welcome the Crown’s decision to appeal the sentence imposed on Darris Wilson,” a statement from Naomi Beverly’s legal team said. “While no sentence can undo the devastating loss and suffering this tragedy has caused, the family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of community support and for those who have spoken out in response to the sentencing decision. They remain hopeful that the appeal will result in a sentence that more appropriately reflects the gravity of the offence and its profound, lifelong consequences.” With reporting from Krista Simpson
