■ DRUNK DRIVER SENTENCED
Recently retired farm couple Marjorie and Gordon Classen were excited for their new life in Saskatoon. A glimpse at their calendar showed their future plans: pickleball and choir, with Gordon preparing to volunteer at the Western Development Museum and Marjorie at the Ronald Mcdonald House.
They were humble, adventurous and incredibly curious — the kind of people who deeply inspired and enriched others’ lives, numerous family members said, holding up photos of Marjorie, 67, and Gordon, 74, as they read victim-impact statements at the sentencing hearing of Tyler Stephen Seeley.
The Crown argued Seeley, a drunk driver who killed the vivacious couple in a head-on collision near Aberdeen in January, should serve between eight and 10 years in prison. The defence argued three to five years would be more appropriate.
After a full day of arguments on Thursday at a Saskatoon hotel to accommodate family members amid COVID-19 distancing protocols, Judge Doug Agnew sentenced Seeley to six years, ruling that even if he cannot control his addiction, he can control whether he drives.
“There are many victims,” Crown prosecutor Lana Morelli told the hotel ballroom-turned courtroom.
They include Seeley’s four-yearold daughter, who was injured in the Jan. 23 crash on Highway 41 and will have to spend the next several years without her father. Seeley’s eyes filled with tears when he spotted his daughter in the room.
The biggest loss, Morelli said, is the Classens’ deaths — a devastating reminder of how drunk driving shatters the lives of multiple families.
“Mom and dad were so strong, but at that moment, would have been so helpless,” said their son Bryce, describing the massive void in his life.
“Sparked by an inexcusable choice. Responsibility would have changed everything,” he said.
Seeley, 34, has been in custody since he was arrested in February.
In June, he pleaded guilty to two counts of impaired driving causing death and one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm to account for his daughter’s injuries.
According to an agreed statement of facts, the girl was airlifted to Saskatoon with two broken arms after Seeley, who was the lead vehicle in a line of drivers, suddenly swerved into the southbound lane, striking the Classens’ truck at about 110 km/hr.
“The Classens had no time to brake,” Morelli said.
Gordon was found unconscious in the driver’s seat. He died in hospital on Feb. 14.
His wife was pronounced dead at the crash scene, where officers found two empty alcohol cans inside and outside of Seeley’s truck. Seeley was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured ankle and wrist.
His blood-alcohol level was determined to be .168 — twice the legal limit — at the time of the collision. Investigators said there were no mechanical problems with his truck, and that he was solely at fault.
Court heard Seeley had been drinking with his wife at a restaurant in Saskatoon earlier that day. They left in separate vehicles, and Seeley picked up his daughter from daycare before heading back to Aberdeen around 6 p.m.
Morelli outlined Seeley’s prior criminal record, including two convictions for drunk driving from 2008 and 2011, and driving while disqualified in 2009.
Between 2003 and 2018, Seeley had 24 driving infractions, failed to take his driving-while-impaired courses in the required time and had a roadside suspension, court heard.
Morelli said Seeley’s driving record shows a pattern of reckless behaviour, and that he took no steps to address his alcohol addiction, despite his history of impaired driving.
“He put himself, his daughter and everybody else on the roadway at risk. The offender’s degree of responsibility is at the high end,” Morelli said, noting Saskatchewan has the highest rate of impaired driving in Canada.
Pfefferle said his client grew up in an alcoholic family and has struggled with alcoholism for most of his life, but avoided treatment because he is self-employed and worried he wouldn’t be able to support his family.
Addressing court, Seeley said his daughter is his world and he would never intentionally hurt anyone.
“I’m not looking for forgiveness today. I am sickened by my own actions and will never forgive myself. I’m here to let you know how deeply I regret the harm I’ve done,” Seeley told the Classen family.
Pfefferle said Seeley has taken responsibility and “thrown himself at the mercy of the court” to avoid putting the victims through a trial.
Seeley said he deserves to be punished and plans to take every prison program possible to ensure he never drinks alcohol again.
“People need to realize they’re not invincible. I’m sorry I broke your hearts and I will do anything I can to make it up to you.”
The couple’s daughter Lori told Seeley that he will never be the victim.
“You had a choice that day and you chose to get into your vehicle and drive drunk. It is the most selfish, uncaring and entitled decision you could have ever made.”
Seeley will be banned from driving for 15 years after his release from prison.
I am sickened by my own actions and will never forgive myself. I’m here to let you know how deeply I regret the harm I’ve done.