Mike on Crime

By Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Free Press
A Winnipeg gang associate admits he was fuelled by alcohol, drugs and a “jealous rage” when he ran a red light at nearly twice the legal speed limit, killed an innocent motorist and then fled the scene.

Edward Carriere, 27, was sentenced Friday to four years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm for the May 2006 tragedy. In reality, he could serve as little as 18 actual months behind bars.

Crown attorney Christina Kopynsky said Carriere had spent the night drinking at a local bar and got into an argument with his girlfriend, believing she was flirting with another man. Their dispute continued into the early morning hours as Carriere continued to consume alcohol and marijuana at a home, court was told.

Carriere eventually left the residence with his girlfriend, who later told police he “floored it” after turning on to McPhillips Street from Logan Avenue. Investigators believe Carriere was driving at least 110 km-h when he blew through a red light at the intersection of Burrows Avenue. The posted speed limit is 60 km-h.

Carriere’s 1993 Cadillac smashed into a 1990 Mercury Sable, which was proceeding west on a green light. David Woodhouse, 53, suffered massive trauma and was pronounced dead. His daughter, Jennifer, was driving the vehicle and was also injured. Her boyfriend was ejected from the car, landing unconscious about 15 metres away. He eventually recovered in hospital.

Both vehicles were crumpled, along with a third vehicle that was stopped at the light and hit by the rolling Sable. Carriere and his girlfriend escaped the wreckage and ran away from the scene — ignoring Jennifer’s frantic cries for help as her dying father remained trapped in the car while her boyfriend lay on the nearby pavement.

“This was a cowardly flight,” Kopynsky told court, adding Carriere used his car “as a weapon.” Police arrested Carriere hours later at a nearby home after tracing his vehicle information. Carriere initially denied any wrongdoing, saying he was doing the speed limit and had the right of way.

Police asked him why he fled. He claims he was worried the angry driver would attack him and “thought the unconscious people would be taken care of,” said Kopynsky.

Carriere was released on bail, only to get reinvolved with the law on several occasions. He was caught driving 77 km-h in a 50 km-h zone in October 2006 and cited for fleeing the scene of a minor traffic accident in August 2007. His bail was also revoked after he got caught drinking alcohol and skipping his curfew on several occasions.

Carriere also has a prior speeding offence from August 2005 in which he was driving 122 km-h in an 80 km-h zone. He has no prior criminal record.

Carriere has spent a total of seven months in pre-trial custody, which was given double-time credit of 14 months on Friday. The Crown was seeking an additional 34 months in jail, while defence lawyer Darren Sawchuk requested 22 months.

Provincial court Judge Carena Roller agreed with the Crown’s request for a total sentence on paper of four years. Carriere will be eligible for day parole in just over 11 months. He was also given a 10-year driving prohibition.

Carriere has frequently associated with local gang members and has a large tattoo on his stomach of a group known as the “Dirty Money Crew,” court was told. His lawyer admits he needs to work on issues of alcohol abuse and anger management while in custody.

Relatives of the victim were not in court Friday and chose not to submit impact statements.