Holly Grue of Bass River suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken back, ribs, ankle, a fractured spine and pelvis and torn ligaments in her left knee in the Dec. 31 incident, following a New Year’s Eve dance in Economy. She is paralyzed from the waist down and is expected to be so for life.
Ryan Harvey McLellan, 26, had earlier pled guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and of failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
In provincial court today, he also entered guilty pleas to four charges stemming from an incident on the early hours of Aug. 31 when he fled from police, running numerous red lights and stops signs in the process, while driving impaired in a stolen vehicle.
Those charges include being in possession of a stolen vehicle, refusing the breathalyzer, breach of a court undertaking by drinking and failing to obey a curfew imposed by the court pending the outcome of the initial charges.
“When Mr. McLellan was asked why he didn’t stop (after striking Grue) the accused responded that he was scared,” Crown Attorney Alison Brown told Judge Warren Zimmer, in calling for a total sentence of between four and five years in prison.
Defence lawyer Amber Snow suggested a sentence in the range of two years.
Speaking outside the courtroom an emotional Grue expressed disappointment at the delay and said she hopes McLellan is handed a lengthy jail term when his sentence is imposed.
More to follow.
