Drunk driver who killed retired Mountie gets 5 years

Alain Boily is off to prison for five years after killing a retired RCMP chief superintendent in a drunk-driving crash in December 2017.

Boily, 35, an iron worker, was driving home after drinking at an office Christmas party downtown and, when he passed Place d'Orléans, where the highway is no longer divided, started passing cars in the oncoming lane and across the double yellow line.

Several motorists called 911 to report the erratic driver, whose last attempt to pass in the oncoming lane resulted in a deadly headon crash.

Jean-Jacques Lemay, 71, had tried an evasive manoeuvre, but ended up being hit head-on.

Lemay, a retired RCMP chief superintendent, died at the scene.

Boily pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death on the eve of trial.

In victim-impact statements filed in court, Lemay's family gave a poignant portrait of a caring pillar of the family. They said he was a doting father and grandfather.

The judge noted that Boily had been drinking and was going 153 km/h in a 90-km/h zone.

Boily had a prior criminal record. In 2006, he was convicted of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. He received a $700 fine and probation. In 2012, he was convicted of possession of a firearm and fined $350. Boily also had a history of speeding, convicted of that offence four times between 2011 and 2017.

“Mr. Boily's provincial offences record for speeding is serious. It is aggravating that he was not deterred by being caught and fined for speeding in the past,” Ontario Court Justice Robert Wadden said.

The judge also noted mitigating factors, notably that Boily is a relatively young man who has much support from family and friends.

Wadden said it gave him some assurance that Boily had a good chance for rehabilitation after his five-year sentence.

The judge also banned Boily from driving for six years.

In expressing remorse and pleading guilty, the judge said, Boily spared Lemay's family a trial and also spared the expense of a trial.

Lemay began his RCMP career in 1965 at the age of 19 and was posted in Montreal, New Brunswick, Regina and Ottawa. He was also seconded to Interpol in Paris and went on to become an RCMP chief superintendent. After he retired from the RCMP, he was hired as commissioner for the Bermuda Police Service.

Lemay's family said in his obituary that he brought much joy into others' lives. He was kind, patient and thoughtful and had a sharp sense of humour, the family said.