Driver in fatal crash pleads guilty to impaired driving causing death

The driver in a fatal east-end collision that killed two others last summer has pleaded guilty to several charges, including impaired driving causing death.

The charges relate to a crash on Aug. 2, 2023, at the intersection of St. Laurent Boulevard and Montreal Road that left two vehicles fiery crumpled wrecks, knocked down a traffic light and spread debris across the east-end intersection.

Franck Ntwari, 41, and Innocent Muhoza, 44, died in one vehicle, while the driver of the other vehicle was extricated by firefighters.

In September, police announced charges against that driver: a woman in her 30s, Shallen Mckay, who was the sole survivor of the collision.

Shallen Mckay is the sole survivor of the horrific collision at the corner of Montreal Road and St. Laurent Boulevard that killed two others and left both vehicles in flames.  (Facebook)

Mckay faced charges of impaired driving causing death, dangerous operation causing death, as well as operation while prohibited, breach of probation and taking a motor vehicle without consent.

On Friday morning, Mckay entered the guilty plea at the Ottawa Courthouse.

Mckay pleaded guilty to two charges of impaired driving causing death, and one charge each of driving while prohibited and taking a motor vehicle without consent.

According to a statement of facts read in court Friday, Mckay ran multiple red lights and was going between 150 to 160 km/h in a 50 km/h zone before the crash.

The light at the intersection she entered just before the collision had been red for 38 seconds, court heard.

During Friday''s proceedings, Mckay's legal representation Ron Geurtin said McKay has requested to be released to handle her health, but it was opposed by the Crown.

Guertin declined a request for comment from CBC following the plea hearing.

CBC previously reported that Mckay had a previous conviction of impaired driving dating back to 2018.

Victim's family 'devastated' 

Ntwari's mother, Mélanie Rubavu said hearing Mckay plead guilty was a relief.

"Justice is working," Rubavu said outside court on Friday.

Ntwari's death has been especially difficult for the family, she added, since he was widowed a few years before he died, raising two young children on his own.

"We're still grieving his wife," she said. "You can't imagine how it is devastating for the whole family ... the community also."

Ntwari's mother Mélanie Rubavu, centre, stands next to family. Muhoza's friend, Dieudonné Gasore, right, spoke to CBC following court on Friday. ( Patrick Louisieze/Radio-Canada)

Ntwari and Muhoza were heading home after having dinner with friends before the collision occurred.

Rubavu said it was a farewell dinner for Muhoza, before he left for work in a remote area. Though she had never met Muhoza, Rubavu says he was a good friend to her son.

Dieudonné Gasore, a friend of Muhoza, added he "was a very happy person, very kind."

"I can't believe he passed away. I was just shocked," Gasore said.

Mckay's next court date is scheduled for May 30.