A Squamish man entered a surprise guilty plea in North Vancouver Provincial Court on Thursday (May 22) to criminal negligence causing the death of Tanya Lee Boudewyn.
Four days in June and July had been scheduled for Ryan Brandon Reece to go on trial for the fatal Nov. 1, 2012 crash in Brackendale that killed the Squamish mother of two.
The tentative June 11 sentencing hearing is to be confirmed on May 29. Charges of impaired driving causing death and causing an accident resulting in death will be stayed, the court heard.
Twenty members of Boudewyn’s family were in the courtroom while Reece appeared by video link from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre.
Criminal negligence causing death carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, under the Canadian Criminal Code. Reece, however, is likely to receive credit for time already served in jail. He has been in custody since Sept. 12, 2013 and withdrew his bail application on Nov. 6, 2013.
“I think it’s nice that the man has taken a little responsibility now. It’s really hurt our family so badly for all this length of time for him not to have come forth,” the victim’s father, Ron Patterson, said outside court.
“A year and a half ago it would’ve been a lot better.”
Reece pleaded guilty last Dec. 6 to obstructing a police officer, escaping custody, taking a vehicle from its owner and driving while prohibited for an incident that occurred Aug. 19, 2013. He was sentenced to time served.
He was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to undergo alcohol counselling.
