'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Alexandre Romero-Arata was escorted into the Vancouver courtroom on Friday morning, where he was scheduled to hear his sentence in the death of 24-year-old Irish national Eoghan Byrne on June 19, 2022.
The Byrne family arrived in Vancouver from Ireland to read their victim impact statements to not only Romero-Arata, but also members of his family.
Crown attorney Mark Myhre began by reading aloud the statement from Byrne’s friend Mike McGovern, who was with Byrne that evening in June 2022.
In the statement, McGovern tells the court that he suffers from severe symptoms of PTSD, has vivid flashbacks, and contemplates taking his own life as a result of watching his friend being killed in front of him.
“Eoghan disappeared before my eyes,” said McGovern.
“I screamed in shock and horror.”
Videos played in the courtroom – filmed by a friend from inside Romero-Arata’s vehicle – show him travelling 140 km/h while running a red light.
Surveillance video shows the moments Byrne and McGovern approach West 4th Avenue at 10:40 p.m. and begin to cross. Soon thereafter, the video shows Romero-Arata’s vehicle speeding towards them.
The Crown says that when Byrne was struck, Romero-Arata fled the scene.
The court later heard the 911 call Romero-Arata made the following day, in which he told the operator that his vehicle had been stolen.
The Byrne family was not in the courtroom while the videos and audio were played, but returned afterwards to read their victim impact statements.
Byrne's mother Mary was the first to speak with her family by her side.
Mary held back tears as she told stories of her son and the positive and good-hearted person he was. She explained that Eoghan is buried near a castle in Ireland and that she visits it daily.
“No amount of time will make it whole again,” said Mary.
Eoghan’s father Eugene followed Mary with an impassioned statement, telling the court that the family’s pain has been horrific, and not a day goes by that they don’t suffer.
“We were left shattered, drowning in grief. Clinging onto Eoghan’s memory,” said Eugene.
Eoghan’s sister, Susan, and brother, James, each shared stories about their brother and the impact he had on their lives.
Susan, who was holding a photo of Eoghan for much of the day, told the courtroom that life will never be the same.
“(There’s) an aftertaste of sadness after everything,” said Susan about life without Eoghan.
“Everything is dim and dull.”
The Crown is seeking five years in prison with a 15-year driving prohibition.
The sentencing hearing is expected to continue on Monday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn't be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
'I was called;' Murray Sinclair's life and legacy honoured at emotional memorial
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
Montreal dockworkers reject deal with lockout to begin
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Man shot by police in Hamilton has died, victim did 'not appear' to fire a gun, says SIU
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.
Liberals to face third test in federal byelection in British Columbia next month
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.
Elon Musk exerts deepening influence on Donald Trump's presidential transition
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club has been brimming in the last 48 hours with two kinds of people: those angling for a job in the president-elect’s incoming administration, and those trying to influence him into hiring their picks for the top spots.
25 monkeys recovered after dozens escape in South Carolina. Others 'jumping back and forth' near research facility
Tenty-five of the 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina have been recovered, officials said Sunday.
Abuse, harassment and suicide: Report finds anti-Black racism exists at highest levels of federal government
A government-funded report released to CTV News highlights 'systemic racism' against dozens of Black executives within the federal public service, including allegations of abuse, violence and harassment that, in some instances, led to suicide.