CALGARY – A Calgary man whose self-described ‘extremely irresponsible’ actions claimed the lives of two people, including an Indo-Canadian man, in May 2015 has been given a four-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Ali Montoya was sentenced in connection with the impaired driving crash that killed 46-year-old cab driver Amritpal Kharbanda and 25-year-old passenger Jillian Lavallee.
In the early hours of May 2, 2015, emergency crews responded to the intersection of Macleod Trail and 12 Avenue S.E. following a crash involving a cab and a Cadillac Escalade.
Taxi driver Amritpal Kharbanda and his passenger Jillian Lavallee were fatally injured in a crash on May 2, 2015. Ali Montoya entered a guilty plea to charges in connection with the incident.
Calgary, Alejandro, Montoya, Macleod Trail, fatal,
Ali Montoya, on the left, is seen leaving court in Calgary on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.
Amritpal Kharbanda, 46, was killed along with his passenger in the crash.
A traffic camera captured the northbound Escalade, driven by 21-year-old Ali Montoya, running a red light at the intersection and crashing directly into the side of an eastbound Associated Cab. Montoya’s truck was recorded at a speed of 98 km/h.
Kharbanda and Lavallee suffered critical injuries and passed away in hospital.
Montoya pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal negligence causing death just four days after the crash.
In late October, the families of the crash victims, Montoya, the Crown, defence counsel and friends attended Montoya’s sentencing hearing. Dozens of victim impact statements described how Montoya deprived children of their father and Lavallee’s family spoke of her brilliance and vibrance.
Montoya also spoke at the hearing, offering a ‘sincere apology’ for his actions. He told the court that he was ‘young, stupid, extremely irresponsible and selfish.’
The Crown and defence had both asked for a four-and-a-half year sentence followed by a five year driving prohibition.
Montoya will receive 45 days credit for time served and will be prohibited from driving for five years following his release.
