No jail for driver in 2021 hit-and-run that killed B.C. teenager

The driver involved in the hit-and-run that killed 19-year-old Damien Seguin in Burnaby, B.C., three years ago has been given a conditional sentence.

That means Brandon Lowe will not spend time behind bars if he complies with his court-ordered conditions and remains on good behaviour.

The 22-year-old Vancouver resident pleaded guilty in July to leaving the scene of a fatal accident, while a second charge of attempting to obstruct justice was stayed.

Lowe was sentenced to serve two years, less a day, in the community, and also handed a three-year driving prohibition.

While holding an orb of Seguin’s ashes, his aunt Michelle Koo delivered an emotional victim impact statement, concluding it by addressing Lowe directly.

“You took something away from us we can never get back,” she said.

“That’s all I have,” Koo said while holding up the ashes.

“I hope that when you look at your babies in the future you remember this moment and how you made us feel,” she said fighting through tears.

Lowe did not address the court.

“I think the least he could have done is turned around and said sorry to my mom's face, but there was nothing,” Koo told reporters outside the courthouse. Koo was co-guardian of Seguin alongwith her mother.

“He’s basically getting a slap on the wrist,” she said of Lowe.

According to an agreed statement of facts, shortly after midnight on March 26, 2021 Seguin and several friends, spread amongst two vehicles, both Toyota Corollas, one grey and one blue, encountered a Nissan Altima driven by Lowe who had two friends in the vehicle.

An occupant of one of the Corollas flashed a peace sign to the Altima that the Crown says was mis-interpreted. Someone in the Altima then brandished bear spray and a baton.

All three vehicles then headed southbound on Byrne Road before pulling over, Seguin and two others exited the blue Corolla and approached the Altima, Seguin opened one of the rear passenger doors, yelling at the occupants, who remained in the vehicle but again brandished the baton and bear spray.

Due to fear the occupants of the Altima may have a gun, one of Seguin’s friends kicked the car door closed, the two sides would temporarily parts ways.

After another brief confrontation in the parking lot of Market Crossing Plaza, all three vehicles departed, moments later, an occupant of the Altima deployed bear spray towards the grey Corolla as they passed it on Marine Way.

The Altima then turned off onto Macpherson Avenue, a dead-end street, both Corollas pulled over near the bottom of that road.

Seguin then exited the blue Corolla, multiple friends followed behind with golf clubs.

Lowe then pulled a U-turn, before heading south on Macpherson, Seguin was then struck by the front right part of the vehicle.

He was taken to hospital but died on March 29.

Lowe fled the scene, and according to the Crown, later altered the appearance of his vehicle.

He was arrested months later in May of 2021, but wasn’t charged until April of this year, and entered his guilty plea in July.

Seguin had recently graduated from Burnaby South Secondary School and had planned to continue his education.

"He was so loving and he had so much ahead of him, he loved my kids, he loved my mom. he loved everybody,” said Koo. “He had so much ahead of him.”

As part of his conditional sentence, Lowe must abide by a strict curfew, complete 40 hours of community service and provide a DNA sample.