Crown seeks 13 years for driver in 2020 Starbucks crash that killed 3
Crown prosecutors are seeking a total of 13 years in prison for the driver of a sports car that crashed into an Edmonton Starbucks in 2020, killing all three of his passengers.
Oscar Benjumea, 27, pleaded guilty in May to three counts of dangerous driving causing death in the July 3, 2020 crash, as well as to a fourth count of failing to stop at an accident involving death.
His sentencing hearing resumed on Monday after beginning in October.
Prosecutors are seeking 12-year sentences, to be served concurrently, for each of the deaths and also a one-year sentence for leaving the scene.
“As the driver, Mr. Benjumea ought to have exercised a duty of care towards his passengers,” said Crown prosecutor Kate Andress.
“Instead, he drove in a patently dangerous manner which put the lives of everyone around him at risk, and unfortunately, but predictably, killed all of his passengers when he caused a catastrophic collision.”
Andress listed the rate of speed and Benjumea’s consumption of alcohol prior to the collision as aggravating factors. She also noted he was banned from driving at the time of the crash.
Also Monday, court heard victim impact statements from the families of the two women killed in the crash: Georgia Donovan and Emma Macarthur.
Donovan’s sister described her "tremendously broken heart" and how her family is still coming to terms with their loss.
"The world is duller, my emotions feel less vibrant and my plans for the future have less meaning without being able to share them with Georgia," she said.
A statement from Macarthur’s teenaged brother described how he was close to his sister and that he misses her hugs and smile.
"She brought joy to people's lives and was someone you could look up to.”
Benjumea’s friend, Faisal Yousef, was also killed in the crash.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to continue on Wednesday and Thursday. The defence has yet to make its sentencing submissions.
Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Peter Michalyshyn said he expects to deliver his sentence in mid-January.
‘SO FAST MY VEHICLE SHOOK’
According to an agreed statement of facts, Benjumea was driving his 2018 Audi R S5 at a speed of up to 193 km/h in an area with a posted speed limit of 60 km/h after leaving a Whyte Avenue bar with the three others after 2 a.m.
A witness told investigators the Audi was travelling "so fast my vehicle shook when he drove by us" as he drove south on Calgary trail.
Benjumea lost control of the vehicle, hitting a curb and sending the vehicle airborne before it slid across a grassy area and slammed into the Starbucks near 55 Avenue.
The impact sheared off the passenger side of the vehicle as well as the roof and parts of the hood, leaving the engine exposed.
A 911 call played in court from a witness who pulled Benjumea from the wreckage described an injured, disoriented and suicidal Benjumea wandering around the crash site.
Court also saw surveillance video showing the Audi crash into the Starbucks before Benjumea fled the area by making his way through parking lots of several businesses along Calgary Trail.
He was arrested 10 hours later at his home in southwest Edmonton and taken to hospital with cuts, a fractured arm, and broken fingers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.