Driver sentenced in fatal crash that killed Ottawa-area man

There was anger and tears in an Ottawa courtroom, as a driver was sentenced to six years in prison for a fatal 2023 crash. CTV’s Katelyn Wilson has more.

After more than two years of waiting, Hal Tierney’s family watched as the man who killed him learned his fate.

Max Breton, 33, was sentenced Monday to six years in prison, minus credit for time served, for impaired driving causing death.

“No sentence would be good enough, but when there’s no mitigating circumstances, Hal was just driving home, there has to be a mandatory minimum so it sends a message to the community that this can happen,” said Tierney’s brother, Brad Tierney.

The sentence stems from a Feb. 24, 2023, crash on Fallowfield Road that killed the 58-year-old father of three while he was on his way home from work.

Court heard that Breton had picked up his six-year-old daughter from afterschool care around 5 p.m. that day.

In the hours leading up to the crash, two motorists called 911 saying Breton’s vehicle was swerving and ran a stop sign.

Around 8 p.m. that night Breton hit Tierney’s vehicle, sending him into a ditch. Tierney later died of his injuries.

“He was always there for advice, even when I didn’t want it,” said Brad. “He was amazing, and he just brought all of us together and his kids are really going to miss him, and they need him.”

Breton’s blood alcohol was more than twice the legal limit and the court also heard there were beer cans found inside and around the vehicle.

His six-year-old daughter was not injured, but the judge, Anne London-Weinstein, called her presence in the truck a highly aggravating factor, saying it’s “a miracle” the child wasn’t also killed or injured.

Breton pleaded guilty in March and during the sentencing hearing earlier this month told the court, “It should have been me that died that day.”

“Every Father’s Day, every birthday, Christmas, it’s ruined,” said Tierney’s wife, Carolann Degruyter. “I try and make the best of it for my family, but they’re devastated, heartbroken. The pain doesn’t go away.”

Since Tierney’s death, members of his family began volunteering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which has been advocating for tougher sentences.

“MADD has been working with legislators to make sure that sentences match the crime. It’s something very hard to do,” said Valerie Keyes, president of MADD’s Ottawa chapter.

“The judge correctly pointed out today that the sentencing for impaired driving has been going up… If you read the Criminal Code chapter and verse, it could be life, but the chances of that ever happening for impaired driving at the present time, it’s non-existent.”

After the sentence was read aloud, members of the Tierney family shouted as Breton was taken into custody, underscoring the pain for Tierney’s loved ones that no sentence can erase.

“It’s not enough time. Our dad was taken and all it takes is one brave judge to stand up and put an end to this,” said Tierney’s daughter, Brittany.

“We just miss our dad, and we just want the roads to be safer. He was a great dad, and we love and miss him so much,” his other daughter, Chelsey, said.

Breton was also handed an eight-year driving prohibition and a non-communication order with members of the Tierney family.

Breton’s lawyer declined to comment.

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