Nicholas Villeneuve, the man charged following a horrific fatal crash near Gander in 2019, pleaded guilty in provincial court this morning.

Villeneuve’s lawyer, Rosellen Sullivan, did so on behalf of her client who was not required to be in the courtroom.

Villeneuve, now 25, was charged with eight counts, including impaired driving causing death and bodily harm and dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm in connection with the fiery head-on collision near Gander five years ago this month.

Husband and wife John and Sandra Lush both died when their car was struck by Villeneuve’s truck. The couple’s daughter, Suzanne, and her boyfriend, Josh Whiteway, who were in the back seat, suffered serious, life-changing injuries.

Villeneuve, who is not in custody, was acquitted after the first trial because the judge ruled his rights were violated by the arresting officer.

That was overturned in this province’s Court of Appeal, and upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada.

One guilty plea was entered today, with others expected when the case is called again in November.