Joshua Steele-Young has been sentenced to two years for the crash that paralyzed his then-girlfriend Morgan Pardy.
Twenty-three-year-old Joshua Steele-Young was found guilty of dangerous driving causing bodily harm in the March 2017 Pitts Memorial Drive crash that left the young woman paralyzed from he chest down. Steele-Young will also be prohibited from driving for five years, and two years probation after his release.
“It’s not helping at this second… it’s going to change my attitude toward a lot things, going out in public again, toward being myself again, hanging out with my friends like I wanted to.
It’s just going to be different, it’s going to be okay.
I’m going to be okay.”– Morgan Pardy, following the verdict
Morgan Pardy was in court for the verdict. She wiped away tears as the sentence was read.
Morgan Pardy has arrived at Supreme Court. Her ex-boyfriend will be sentenced this morning for an accident that left her paralyzed. @590VOCM @VOCMNEWS @VicBattcockVOCM pic.twitter.com/JCBxgtzOWv
— Fred Hutton (@Fred_Hutton) October 4, 2019
In December she testified that they had been arguing the night of the crash. She told the court she had taken off her seatbelt, pleading to be let out of the car. The next thing she remembered was waking up in ICU.
Justice Frances Knickle read the victim impact statement from Pardy. She said she can no longer imagine being in a relationship with anyone since the crash.
Pardy says Steele-Young’s actions were unacceptable. While she understands that he was remorseful, she does not accept his apology.
Morgan Pardy says she’ll be okay, but the journey has been difficult. She says when she came out of ICU she was in denial, and believed that she would walk one day.
She says she’s still trying to come to terms with that, but as long as she’s able to get out of bed every day, “that’s the main thing.”
Pardy says she’s thankful for the support she’s received from family, friends and “random strangers.”
The sentencing, she says will help her move on—she will be able to go out and change her attitude.
Pardy assured reporters outside the courtroom that she’s going to be okay.
She spoke with the media, including VOCM’s Fred Hutton, following the verdict.
