A second teenager has been punished for his involvement in a street racing incident last spring in Chelmsford that claimed the life of a popular 16-year-old high school student.
Jason Daoust, 19, pleaded guilty two months ago to dangerous driving after admitting to getting involved in a street race, which ended tragically when the driver of the car Daoust was racing hit and killed Patrick Herard, who was driving his bicycle along Errington St. in Chelmsford April 22, 2006.
Daoust had his driver's licence suspended for two years and he was also fined $1,000. He was also ordered to participate in community programs aimed at stopping the growing problem of street racing among young people.
The 17-year-old second teen charged in relation to Herard's death, whose name can't be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was given a sentence of six months of house arrest during his sentencing hearing earlier in 2007. He also had his driver's licence suspended for 10 years. He was also placed on probation for 18 months following the completion of his sentence.
Ironically, Daoust was sentenced the same day the provincial government introduced new tougher driving laws, including a provision allowing police to confiscate vehicles and temporarily suspend driving privileges against drivers expected of participating in illegal street racing activities.
The Liberal government has increased fines for those convicted of street racing to $10,000. Police will also now be able to seize vehicles expected of street racing for up to one week.
The bill also increases the automatic licence suspension for suspected drunk drivers from 12 hours to up to one week for repeat offenders.
Court heard previously Daoust and the other driver had agreed to a street race. Daoust pulled over when he observed police in the area, but the other driver carried on at a high rate of speed and hit Herard's bicycle, sending Herard flying into the air.
Justice John Kukurin accepted the joint submission presented to him by Crown and defence counsel.
