The man responsible for running a red light and causing a crash that killed a 25-year-old Burnaby woman will spend the next four years-plus behind bars for his actions.
On Wednesday, provincial court judge Harbans Dhillon handed Ibrahim Ali a global sentence of 4.5 years for dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop at an accident causing bodily harm for his role in the crash that killed Emily Sheane.
In October, Ali pleaded guilty to the two charges related to the events on the evening of March 9 this year.
Sheane was driving home from work on Moscrop Street before midnight when she was hit by an SUV running a red light at Willingdon Avenue and Deer Lake Parkway.
The driver, Ali, and passenger in the SUV took off on foot but were eventually arrested a few days later at a hotel in Creston.
In her decision, the judge said Ali showed “disregard” for the speed limit and other motorists and made a deliberate decision to ignore traffic signals that put Sheane in harm’s way.
Ali claimed he was distracted by an argument with his passenger at the time of the crash.
Dhillon said she didn’t believe Ali’s excuse that he took off out of panic but instead said his actions were designed to avoid responsibility. At the time of crash, Ali was prohibited from driving and also got his hands on the Range Rover by using a bad cheque.
While Dhillon noted his criminal record, which includes 20 convictions going back to his youth in 2007, she accepted that Ali feels remorse and considered his guilty pleas a mitigating factor in her sentence. Court heard Ali’s DNA wasn’t found in the vehicle and the case relied on the cooperation of the passenger.
Dhillon also reflected on Sheane’s life, noting the victim impact statements from family and friends were a “testament to the life of a beautiful young woman” who was “fully engaged in humanity.”
The judge said no sentence could adequately compensate the loss to Sheane’s family.
Outside the courthouse, Sheane’s mom Judy said she appreciated the kind words the judge said about her daughter.
“She (Judge Dhillon) was fair, she was just,” she said. “It will be hard, but I’m glad we got some justice, but it won’t bring her (Emily) back.”
Judy also said she’s not sure if she believes Ali is remorseful since he hasn’t been previously but added how he continues his life will determine if he means what he told the court.
Both Ali, 26, and Sheane went to Burnaby South Secondary but didn’t know each other.
“Emily was one of those who went to parties, but she always had to have a theme and have fun and include everyone. He wouldn’t have been a part of the crowd,” Judy said.
The family has started a scholarship at the high school in Emily’s name.
During the sentencing, Ali also addressed the court and Sheane’s family in the courtroom.
He apologized for “being a coward and running away,” adding he was scared and he panicked. He also said he didn’t want to put the family through more pain, adding if he could switch places with Sheane, he would.
“I pray that you can see this was an accident and nothing more,” he said, as he wiped away tears in the prisoner’s box.
The defense was asking for a total sentence of three years.
Along with the 4.5-year sentence, minus 135 days credit for time served, Ali was given a 10-year driving ban.
