3 months for fatal crash

A man who pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention in connection with a fatal crash in 2009 has been fined and given an intermittent jail sentence.

Avinash Prasad, 31, was sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster last month.

Shortly before the March 28, 2009, crash, Prasad was seen by witnesses speeding and driving aggressively down 64th Avenue toward 176th Street in Surrey. As he approached the intersection, Prasad changed lanes to go around another vehicle, but hit the curb and veered left across both lanes of the road, striking a small cement median with such force that his car went airborne.

When Prasad’s car came down, it hit a vehicle driven by Sean Arland, killing him.

Prasad was charged with dangerous driving causing death, but pleaded guilty to the Motor Vehicle Act offence.

At sentencing, it was shown that Prasad had no criminal record and is a responsible and contributing member of society. However, he has an extensive driving record that features 17 infractions. The infractions include speeding, disobeying a trafficcontrol device, 24-hour prohibitions and a four-month driving ban. His last driving offence was in April and resulted in another 24-hour suspension.

Crown and defence made a joint submission for a threemonth intermittent jail sentence, a $2,000 fine and a fouryear driving prohibition. The judge agreed the sentencing recommendation was appropriate, pointing out that any sentence imposed will be of little comfort to Arland’s family.

“If only all careless and irresponsible drivers were here so that they could make the connection between their actions and the all too common consequences of their actions. But the societal problem is that this connection is often not made by them,” Justice Murray Blok wrote in his decision.