Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, June 25, 2007

HAY RIVER - A man from the Hay River Reserve has been sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for impaired driving causing bodily harm.

Brent Richard Norn, 25, pleaded guilty to the charge during an NWT Supreme Court sitting in Hay River on June 18.

The charge stemmed from an early-morning accident on Oct. 15, 2006, on the Hay River Reserve, where Norn struck a pedestrian and fled the scene.

The victim's multiple injuries left him a paraplegic.

Prior to being sentenced, Norn expressed regret over the accident and the injuries he caused.

Norn added he hopes the sentence will help him get his life back on track.

"Whatever comes, I'll take it," he said.

Along with the prison sentence, he was prohibited from driving for seven and a half years, beginning on the day of the sentence.

In passing sentence, Justice Louise Charbonneau wondered what it will take to stop people from drinking and driving, noting there have been anti-drunk driving campaigns, school programs, court sentences and other efforts to stop it.

"And yet the carnage on the road continues," she said.

Charbonneau pointed to several aggravating factors in the case against Norn.

She said he was highly intoxicated after a drinking party, with a blood alcohol reading of .230 or nearly three times the legal limit.

The judge also noted the "dreadful" injuries to the victim.

Among other injuries, the victim - 37-year-old Maurice Wayne Elleze of the Hay River Reserve - suffered a basal skull fracture, collapsed lung, rib fractures and two broken femur bones. Elleze is expected to require a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Charbonneau also noted Norn was driving fast, drove while drunk even though people tried to prevent him from doing so, and did not stop after the accident.

The judge also noted Norn's criminal record, which was not long but included a fine for drinking and driving, and a violation of an undertaking not to drink while awaiting trial on the impaired driving causing bodily harm charge.

"It is disturbing he would continue to drink even in the face of this tragedy," she said.

However, she also noted he has a stable relationship, two children and a steady work history.

"I also accept without reservation that he is truly remorseful," Charbonneau said.

In a victim impact statement, Elleze wrote that he forgives Norn.

Two other charges against Norn - failure to remain at the scene of an accident and driving with a blood alcohol reading over .08 - were stayed by the Crown.