Sentencing in a high-speed fiery crash that claimed the life of an Okotoks father of three has been delayed for a month.
An Okotoks man who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in the death of 43-year-old Daniel Tillapaugh had his sentencing delayed until Oct. 3.
Jody John Sebryk pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in Calgary Court of Queen Bench April 30 and sentencing submissions from the Crown and the defence were scheduled for Sept. 6. However, the sentencing was re-scheduled to Oct. 3 due to the availability of the judge.
Tillapaugh was killed May 6, 2017 when his Toyota FJ was struck from behind by Sebryk’s Mercedes sports car, which was going at least 224 kilometres per hour. His blood alcohol level was between 201 and 251 mg per cent.
Prior to the crash, Sebryk was driving his car between 160 and 224 kilometers per hour on Highway 2A north of Okotoks at around 1 a.m. His car struck Tillapaugh’s vehicle, causing it to fly through the air for 23 metres. It then rolled several times before coming to a rest against a power pole on the west side of the highway. Sebryk’s vehicle ended up in the centre of the highway and caught on fire.
Sebryk is also charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving over 0.08 causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while street racing causing death and criminal negligence while street racing, but those charges will likely be withdrawn by the Crown when he is sentenced.
The Crown stayed charges against a second Okotoks man who was charged with street racing with Sebryk. Charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while street racing causing death and criminal negligence while street racing against Benjamin Legere, 27, were stayed May 21, 2019.
