Antigonish man who killed 2 teens while driving high granted parole
A Nova Scotia man serving a six-year prison sentence for killing two teenage boys in Antigonish County while driving impaired has been granted parole.
On Nov. 24, 2011, William Lionel Edmund Byron Fogarty was driving a car on Highway 4 in Tracadie, N.S., when it crossed over the centre line and collided with another vehicle.
The other car's driver, 16-year-old Kory Mattie, died at the scene. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas (Nico) Landry, a passenger in the vehicle, died of his injuries later in hospital.
A drug test revealed Fogarty had methadone, several prescription drugs and Valium in his system at the time of the crash.
Fogarty was convicted of two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving by drugs causing death. He was sentenced to six years in prison, less time served, in September 2013.
Six-month day parole
Last week, the Parole Board of Canada granted Fogarty's parole. He will first be released on a six-month day parole program, and will live in a community-based residential facility.
Fogarty will be released on full parole to live with family members once the six-month day parole is successfully completed.
"The Board is of the opinion that, if released on day parole, you would not present an undue risk to society by reoffending, and that such a release would contribute to public protection by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen," said parole documents released by the Parole Board of Canada.
According to parole documents, local police supported day parole, but expressed concern over Fogarty returning to the area, fearing his presence would cause community outrage.
Conditions of release
Conditions of Fogarty's release state that he refrain from consuming, purchasing or possessing alcohol or drugs, and that he have no contact with the families of the victims.
"You have caused extreme trauma to the families' and loved ones of your victims; any contact with these people would increase their pain and could lead to increased tension and possibly conflict," said the documents.
The board said it was very aware of several victims impact statements submitted to the board, which detail the emotional trauma the teens' families have endured because of Fogarty's crimes.
According to parole documents, Fogarty told the board he regretted not taking full responsibility immediately for his crimes, and it has taken years for him to even begin to deal with it.
Spoke to high school, college students
In the nearly three years Fogarty served in prison, parole documents state he maintained institutional employment, and was engaged in and participated in the methadone maintenance program.
He was recently granted two escorted temporary absences (ETAs) from prison where he told his personal story to high school students and a college class.
"[Fogarty's] parole officer noted in conclusion that your ETAs had gone exceptionally well and it was very positive to see how [Fogarty] had connected with many students and how positive that experience was for [him]."
