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Driver who caused fatal accident in West Island, taking life of a teenage girl, granted early release from prison on parole

Convicted highway speeder, a 31-year-old male, who took the life of a Montreal teenage resident last year, has been released on parole following a decision by the parole board.

Driver involved in deadly West Island collision, who was impaired, granted parole for release from...
Driver involved in deadly West Island collision, who was impaired, granted parole for release from incarceration

Driver who caused fatal accident in West Island, taking life of a teenage girl, granted early release from prison on parole

In a decision that has sparked strong emotions, the Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to Francis Lawrence, a 31-year-old man convicted of dangerous driving causing death. The parole was granted on August 7, 2023, after serving time and successfully completing six months of day parole.

Lawrence was involved in a fatal incident on March 20, 2021, when he was racing on Highway 40, west of Montreal, at almost 200 km/h. His reckless driving resulted in the tragic death of Veronica Gashi, a 15-year-old passenger. At the time of the crash, Lawrence had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit and cannabis in his system.

The initial sentencing judge described Lawrence’s behavior as “careless and reckless, while playing a game of cat and mouse with police.” His actions led to a sentence of four-and-a-half years in prison for the crime.

As part of his parole, Lawrence is subject to standard parole supervision, which includes meeting regularly with a parole officer, abiding by restrictions on movement, employment, substance use, and avoiding any further offenses. He is also not allowed to drive a vehicle and cannot consume drugs or alcohol until his sentence is completed.

Lawrence has shown no sign of returning to criminal behavior, according to the Parole Board. In fact, he has been seriously involved in his reintegration process and has made the necessary efforts to stabilize all areas of his life, thereby reducing the risk he poses. The Commission also noted that Lawrence has been able to return to a law-abiding lifestyle focused on healthy activities, to the best of his ability within his functional limitations.

The mitigating factors at sentencing were Lawrence's relative youth, the lack of prior criminal record, and his decision to plead guilty. A domestic violence risk assessment was also completed, and the risk was determined to be low.

The parole decision has reignited calls for stricter laws and lifetime bans from victims' families and legal experts. They argue that such offenses should be met with harsher penalties to protect society. The public reaction mirrors similar cases in Canada, where families of victims express concern and call for tougher laws.

Despite the controversy, the Parole Board decision emphasized the seriousness of Lawrence's crimes, which also injured another person. Since his release, Lawrence has expressed the intention to look for work. It remains to be seen how he will reintegrate into society and whether he will uphold the conditions of his parole.

  1. Lawrence's life after parole will be closely monitored, with regular meetings with a parole officer, restrictions on movement and substance use, and a prohibition on driving or consuming alcohol until his sentence is completed.
  2. In granting parole, the Parole Board recognized Lawrence's commitment to reforming his life, noting his involvement in the reintegration process, effort to stabilize all areas of his life, and adoption of a law-abiding lifestyle focused on healthy activities.
  3. Despite Lawrence's parole, calls for stricter laws and lifetime bans continue from victims' families and legal experts, who argue that such offenses should be met with harsher penalties to protect society, drawing parallels from similar cases in Canada.

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