\n\tFamily and friends of an Edmonton couple killed in an impaired driving crash packed into a courtroom for the sentencing hearing Friday.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn fact, there were so many people, the proceedings were moved to a larger courtroom.<\/p>\n
\n\tOn August 14, 2022, 68-year-old Jim and 63-year-old Annie Macdonald were out for a routine motorcycle ride on High 628, just south of Sherwood Park.<\/p>\n
\n\tTheir motorcycle was hit head-on by a car \u2013 killing them.<\/p>\n
\n\tLast September, 30-year-old Taylor Yaremchuk of Sherwood Park pleaded guilty to two counts of impaired driving causing death.<\/p>\n
\n\tDuring the hearing, the couple’s daughter, Breigh Cohen was first to read a victim impact statement.<\/p>\n
\n\t“My family\u2019s life was shattered,” she said.<\/p>\n
\n\t“I didn\u2019t just lose one parent. I lost both my mom and my dad.”<\/p>\n
\n\tCohen described herself as a ‘daddy’s girl,’ telling the court he was her best friend.<\/p>\n
\n\t“My parents were amazing parents, but I can tell you they were even better grandparents,” she said as she went on to describe the impact the sudden, preventable loss has had on all three of her children.<\/p>\n
\n\t“They should still have more time with their grandparents,” said Cohen. “The heartache will last their lifetime.”<\/p>\n
\n\t“We have been sentenced to a lifetime of grief,” she continued.<\/p>\n
\n\tAnother woman, a friend of the Macdonalds for nearly two decades, sobbed as she read her statement next.<\/p>\n
\n\tShe looked directly at Yaremchuk as she said, “because of you my life has been negatively altered.”<\/p>\n
\n\t“My life will never be complete without Jim and Annie,” she said.<\/p>\n
\n\tYaremchuk, who was seated next to his lawyer, looked straight ahead as the statements were read.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Crown prosecutor read a statement from Jim’s younger brother Hugh Macdonald.<\/p>\n
\n\t“This has left an emptiness and hole in my heart,” the Crown read.<\/p>\n
\n\tHis statement also pointed out that Yaremchuk was a bartender at the time the crash happened.<\/p>\n
\n\t“He was fully aware that alcohol and driving do not mix,” read the Crown. “Two lives were tragically taken and should not be lumped together.”<\/p>\n
\n\tHugh’s statement finished by saying he does not forgive Yaremchuk for taking his brother and sister-in-law.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn total, Justice Shaina Leonard heard 17 victim impact statements during the hearing.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Crown is asking for five years imprisonment and a seven year driving prohibition for each count, to be served concurrently.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe defence has asked for three to five years.<\/p>\n
\n\tJustice Leonard is expected to give her decision May 27.\u00a0<\/p>\n