Photo Cred: Blackburn News
Justice George Orsini announced Daniella Leis will be serving 3 years in prison for causing the explosion in Old East Village on August 14th, 2019. On top of this, she will be prohibited from operating a vehicle for 3 years, this ban beginning upon her release from prison.
Orsini stated that the sentence has to reflect the dangers of drunk driving, and “denounce and deter others” from doing the same. Victim impact statements took up a significant portion of the proceedings. Orsini discussed Captain David Smith, a firefighter who was less than two years away from retirement, who was injured during the explosion. Smith can now no longer carry out certain day to day activities at home, and is unable to participate in many of his hobbies.
Other aggravating factors in the sentencing included Leis’ level of intoxication prior to the collision. She was nearly three times the legal limit for operating a vehicle. It was Orsini’s belief that it was not possible Leis was unaware she was too drunk to drive that evening, meaning this had to be a conscious decision to put others in danger. Leis drove in the wrong direction down a one way street for nearly 3 kilometers prior to the collision causing the explosion.
“In particular for first responders injured in the line of duty, nothing I can say or do today can ever repair the damaged caused by Leis.” said Orsini
Justice Orsini went on to mention that because Leis plead guilty, is a youthful first time offender, and has shown genuine remorse, the sentencing was not as harsh. Also discussed was Leis’ difficult childhood which saw both physical and psychological abuse throughout her upbringing. Her guardians were residential school survivors, Orsini stating the conditions at these schools have caused intergenerational parenting deficiencies and substance abuse problems.
30 Homes were effected by the explosion, causing approximately $15-million in property damage. More importantly, the Old East Village explosion saw 4 front line workers suffer injuries that will have lifelong impacts.
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