Sabastian Prosa gets 5 years in prison for deadly drunk driving crash
The family torn apart by a horrific drunk driving crash blasted the sentence handed down Tuesday to the driver who was found guilty in the collision.
Sabastian Prosa, who was 19 at the time of the 2012 collision, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in prison. He is also banned from driving for eight years. Prosa was found guilty of 12 charges, including impaired driving causing death, in June.
"I think that's absolutely ridiculous and it's infuriating" said Brian Wijeratne, who lost his father and sister in the crash, as he spoke to reporters following the verdict.
Prosa was behind the wheel of a GMC Envoy that was going the wrong way on a Toronto-area highway when he struck a van carrying Jayanatha Neil Wijeratne, along with his wife, Antonette, and their 16-year-old daughter, Eleesha, in August 2012. Jayantha Wijeratne, 49, and his daughter died in the crash, while Antonette Wijeratne suffered severe injuries.
Prosa had pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, arguing while he did have nearly double the legal limit of alcohol in his system at the time of the crash, he believed his drink had been spiked on the night of the crash.
An emotional Antonette Wijeratne, who has been present throughout the high-profile trial, told reporters gathered outside that she "expected more" from the sentencing.
Prosa's decision to drive drunk was "selfish and stupid," Wijeratne said, adding the crash "destroyed" her family.
She also called on the government to stiffen penalties for impaired driving and asked parents to educate their children about the dangers of drunk driving.
Brian Wijeratne thanked both the Crown and the judge in the case, but said the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
"I ask all Canadians, do you honestly believe this is real justice received for the deaths of two people and injury of another? Because I don't."
