Crown seeks jail sentence for Windsor man convicted in double fatal collision in Chatham

The Crown is calling for jail time in the double fatal RetroFest collision. CTV Windsor’s Michelle Maluske reports.

The crown is looking for a jail sentence for a Windsor man who has been convicted in a Chatham double fatal collision.

Brett Iler, 30, was found guilty in November of six counts of careless driving after his SUV veered into oncoming traffic on May 27, 2022.

That night, five friends were participating in the RetroFest Classic Car Cruise on Queen’s Line.

As they approached the ‘s-bend’ at Dillon Road, Iler’s SUV veered one metre into the path of the cruise.

Iler first struck a classic Chevy pickup truck, injuring the driver.

The force of the first collision, court learned, launched Iler’s vehicle onto a 1950 Buick sedan.

The driver, Nigel Sedge, 29, and rear passenger Jaimee Doyle, 28, were both killed. The three other passengers in the sedan were seriously hurt but survived.

Iler explained at trial he lost focus for a brief moment because he yawned.

Lawyers propose separate penalty

Defence lawyer Alexandra Cardella asked for a sentence of $5,000 to $7,000, a four-year ban on driving and two years probation with 200 to 300 hours of community service.

Assistant Crown Attorney Ryan Iaquinta on the other hand requested a jail sentence of 10 to 12 months with a five-year driving ban.

Both lawyers referenced a 2018 amendment to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, specifically about careless driving causing death or bodily harm.

As of September 2018, the maximum fine for this offence jumped from $2,000 to $50,000. The maximum jail sentence rose from six months to two years.

Iler apologizes

Iler apologized to both sets of families Wednesday.

“This weighs greatly on me,” Iler told them.

“It deeply pains me to know my actions lead to suffering.”

As a registered nurse, Iler said his ‘path’ in life was to help people.

“I never thought I’d end lives,” Iler said.

He told the court he has suffered since the collision from declining mental health and a lack of interest in things he used to enjoy.

“If I had a choice in the matter, I would have greatly preferred Nigel and Jaimee to have survived and for me to take their place,” he said.

“I know my words cannot change the past, but I hope it can help the family of the victims and those involved understand I had no ill intentions on that day.”

Justice of the Peace Kelly Jackson said she needs time to consider Iler’s sentence and will have her decision by April 23.