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Two-year sentence handed down for drunk driver who struck, killed Winnipeg cyclist in 2012: reports

Late last week, sentence was passed in the case of a Winnipeg driver who, while intoxicated, struck and killed a cyclist on Regent Avenue two years ago, the Winnipeg Sun reported.

The incident happened at the corner of Regent Avenue West and Brewster in December, 2012. (Image: Google Maps)
The incident happened at the corner of Regent Avenue West and Brewster in December, 2012. (Image: Google Maps)

Late last week, sentence was passed in the case of a Winnipeg driver who, while intoxicated, struck and killed a cyclist on Regent Avenue two years ago, the Winnipeg Sun reported.

The motorist, those reports say, has been sentenced to two years in prison for the incident.

On Dec. 23, 2012, cyclist David Rogoza was on Regent Avenue West, where it intersects with Brewster Street, when the accused hit him with his vehicle at around 4 o’clock that morning. Jesse Coutu, reports say, was driving under the influence—and although the 35 year old motorist admitted to driving into the fallen cyclist, he denied that his intoxication had anything to do with the tragedy.

Justice Perry Schulman, the Sun reported, disagreed.

“The circumstances,” Schulman said in his ruling, “are wholly consistent with his inability to be aware of the presence of others on the road and react in a timely way because he was impaired by alcohol.” Rogoza’s death, reports say, was the culmination of a series of untoward events that included housebreak, mischief, and entering with the intent to commit assault—all of which led up to the fateful moment when the cyclist was hit on Regent Avenue.

Nonetheless, the judge, citing an apparently emotional apology issued by Coutu to the victim’s family, handed down a lighter sentence than the act may have otherwise merited. “A rehabilitative sentence,” Justin Schulman said, “is in society’s best interest, as well as those of the accused.”

Evidence presented to the court, the Sun said, noted that Coutu was driving recklessly and aggressively immediately before Rogoza was struck. The motorist apparently tailgated another car, before switching lanes to allow Coutu to pass. He did, accelerating to 55 km/h without the benefit of brakes. It was at that point that Rogoza was hit.

The then-32 year old was arrested at the scene.