Impaired driver who killed teen girl in West Island crash granted parole

Veronica Gashi, 15, was killed when a driver crashed into a car she was in that was parked on the side of Highway 40 on March 20, 2021. (Source: Facebook)

A 31-year-old man who was sentenced to prison last year for killing a Montreal teenager while speeding down a highway has been granted parole.

According to a decision released by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) on Aug. 7, Francis Lawrence, 31, was granted full parole after successfully completing day parole over the last six months.

On March 20, 2021, Lawrence, then 29, was racing down Highway 40, west of Montreal, against another member of his car enthusiast group, travelling close to 200 km/h and zig-zagging between cars.

• READ MORE: Mother shouts ‘not enough’ as impaired driver sentenced to 4.5 years for crash that killed her daughter

One of his companions crashed their vehicle and, as another driver was trying to assist Lawrence’s friend, he lost control of his Audi A3 and crashed into two cars stopped on the side of the road.

Veronica Gashi, a 15-year-old passenger in one of those cars, was killed instantly.

Lawrence’s blood-alcohol limit was twice the legal limit, and he had cannabis in his system at the time of the crash. He survived the crash, but went into a coma for several weeks and claimed to have no memory the collision. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.

On Feb. 1, 2024, Justice Jean-Jacques Gagne sentenced him to four-and-a-half years in prison. The sentence sparked strong emotions in the courtroom as the teenager’s mother shouted “Not enough, not enough” to the judge.

‘Low risk’ of reoffending, Parole Board says

According to the Parole Board decision, it was determined that Lawrence was at a “low risk” of reoffending. A domestic violence risk assessment was also completed and the risk was also low.

The decision underscored the seriousness of his crimes, which also injured another person.

“However, the Commission notes that by successfully completing your period of day parole, you have confirmed that you have been able to return to a law-abiding lifestyle focused on healthy activities, to the best of your ability within your functional limitations,” the decision reads.

“The Commission notes that you have been seriously involved in your reintegration process and have made the necessary efforts to stabilize all areas of your life, thereby reducing the risk you pose.”

• READ MORE: ‘She died between my arms’: friend of Highway 40 crash victim begs drivers to stop speeding

The Parole Board reported that Lawrence has shown no sign of returning to criminal behaviour. The decision cited an example of him being able to identify risk factors, such as seeking help when needed, when he lost a loved one while incarcerated.

Correctional Service Canada confirmed that he was eligible for full parole as of Aug. 1. In Canada, day parole allows an offender to continue serving their sentence at a halfway house or another community-based facility with conditions.

Full parole allows an offender to serve part of their sentence in a private residence under supervision and under specific conditions.

As part of his parole, Lawrence is not allowed to drive a vehicle and cannot consume drugs or alcohol until his sentence is completed. Lawrence, who was married in prison, is now looking for work.

When he was sentenced in 2024, the judge said Lawrence was “careless and reckless, while playing a game of cat and mouse with police,” and that “the circumstances are troubling, and deserve a severe punishment.”

The mitigating factors at sentencing were his relative youth, the lack of prior criminal record, and his decision to plead guilty.

As part of his sentence last year, he was banned from driving for eight years and six months.