A Mount Pearl man has entered guilty pleas in connection with a highway crash that claimed the lives of two young women last year.
Seventy-two-year-old Austin Deir had faced four charges — two each of impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
But in Clarenville provincial court this morning, he pleaded guilty to only the dangerous driving charges, while the Crown conditionally withdrew those related to impaired driving.
The sentencing phase is set for October. But there will be hearings before that where the defence can still challenge some of the facts surrounding the guilty pleas.
The head-on collision occurred on January 21st of last year near Arnold’s Cove, and claimed the lives of close friends Haley Keating and Erin Pretty, both just 22 years old.
Haley Keating (left) and Erin Pretty. (Facebook)
Deir was saved from his burning SUV and, according to police at the time, showed signs of impairment. That was followed by the formal charges months later.
He was a longtime member and well-known negotiator for NAPE, taking part in bargaining as recently as 2022.
Deir appeared on video today, along with defence lawyer Rosellen Sullivan, from her office in St. John’s.
Today’s guilty pleas will save the victims’ family and friends the pain of reliving the tragedy during a trial.
They will, however, get their say on the loss and devastation caused by the crash before Deir is sentenced.
