Calgary police officer's son pleads guilty to joyriding after fatal crash
Judge Diana Mah accepted the joint sentence recommendation of 9-12 months probation
The underage son of a Calgary police officer who was involved in a fatal hit and run has pleaded guilty to his role in the February crash.
Keith Morley was killed when a stolen pickup truck swerved into the oncoming lane, slamming head on into his car.
Morley died "way before his time," said his nephew Jesse Stephens in a victim impact statement.
"A man that did not deserve to die that morning."
The teen was "forthcoming and co-operative" with investigators after his arrest, according to an agreed statement of facts.
"He is extremely remorseful," said his lawyer Desiree Tan. "These statements have opened up his eyes. [He] understands the grief and loss family members feel."
'Devastating and sadly permanent'
"It's not alleged that he's responsible for the tragic consequences," said Crown prosecutor J.P. Quenneville.
The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to being a passenger in the back seat during a drive in a stolen pickup truck — more commonly known as joyriding.
The boy cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as he was 17 years old at the time of the crash.
Crown and defence made a joint recommendation for a sentence of nine to 12 months probation.
"The consequences of the young person's behaviour ... has been far reaching, devastating and sadly permanent," said Youth Court Judge Diana Mah when accepting the joint recommendation and imposing a one-year probation.
The teen is in treatment for drug addiction and was joined in court by staff from the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre.
Warrants issued for suspected driver
Last month, Janelle Umpherville pleaded guilty to a number of charges connected to Keith Morley's death — including theft and being in a stolen vehicle.
There are Canada-wide warrants out for Derek Brian Grouette, who police believe to be the driver.
The incident began when a Tsuut'ina police officer tried to stop the pickup truck.
Court heard during Umpherville's guilty plea that three people — the driver, the teen and Umpherville — drove around the Cochrane area in a stolen truck, stealing other items, including an ATV, that they planned to sell to fuel their meth habits.
When they were back on the Tsuut'ina Nation — where the trio planned to store those items — police tried to pull over the truck, but they fled.
After crossing the Fish Creek Bridge, the driver swerved into Keith Morley's car and he died at the scene.
The driver took off on foot. Umpherville hid with the other passenger under a nearby tree, but was soon found with the help of the police K9 unit.
The teen has been ordered to have no contact with Umpherville or Grouette.
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