Mother of Sask. man paralyzed by drunk driver calls for harsher penalties

Charlene Fineday carried a photo of her son Darnell Fineday as she called for harsher penalties for drunk drivers like the one who left her son paralyzed and unable to speak last year.

"I don't ever want another mother to go through what I've been through. It's very hard," Charlene said at a news conference Wednesday.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents Saskatchewan's First Nations, held the news conference in Saskatoon in support of Darnell Fineday's family and friends.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said the driver was impaired but Fineday was alcohol and drug free, and called for harsher penalties for impaired driving.

"What would you expect if that was your son or grandson?" Cameron said.

Cameron also called for better communication with victims' families, saying court officials didn't communicate with the family until the day before the trial.

Darnell's family, from Mosquito First Nation, wants to see more support systems for victims of impaired driving and their families.

Charlene said she wants to bring awareness by hosting workshops and visiting communities to tell her son's story.

WATCH | Young daughter of drunk driving victim still prays at his bedside almost a year later, says family: 

Young daughter of drunk driving victim still prays at his bedside almost a year later, says family

9 months ago

Duration 3:24

Darnell Fineday suffered severe brain injuries and is now permanently in a wheelchair after being hit by a drunk driver almost a year ago. His family says his young daughter still prays by his bedside.

Darnell was hit while walking at a crosswalk on 22nd Street and Hart Road in Saskatoon just before 2 a.m. CST on April 19, 2023.

Darnell suffered severe brain injuries and is now permanently in a wheelchair. He lives at Parkridge Centre, a long-term care facility.

Charlene said she hopes she can bring him home some day.

On March 13, 2024, the driver received a sentence of two years to be served in the community, according to the FSIN.

Charlene said she was hoping for a harsher sentence, but will continue to advocate for Darnell.

"I am my son's voice now," said Fineday.