Reckless driver admits to impaired crime
Brandon Richard Forret, 25, of Harvey, jailed for dangerous driving in 2019 for a 2017 crash that claimed brother’s life; now to be sentenced for driving drunk this summer
A Harvey man who was jailed four years ago for causing a 2017 crash in which his younger brother was killed has admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol this summer.
Brandon Richard Forret, 25, of Harvey, was charged by police this fall with impaired driving, alleging events from Aug. 19 in Fredericton.
Defence lawyer L.A. Henry appeared on his behalf in Fredericton provincial court Monday, noting he’s out of province for work.
“He’s in Alberta,” she said.
The plan was to have Forret appear by telephone in court Monday, the defence lawyer said, but Judge Lucie Mathurin pointed out that since the charge against her client is a summary-conviction matter, that wasn’t necessary since his counsel was present.
Henry said her client was pleading guilty to the charge, she asked that a pre-sentence report be ordered and prepared for the court’s consideration.
The judge ordered that report, and she scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 23.
The defence lawyer asked Forret could appear by video from Alberta for the sentencing hearing, but Mathurin said that wasn’t possible because the offender would be required to sign paperwork at the time of sentencing.
Crown prosecutor Christopher Lavigne said current public policy is for courts to impose a release order on those who admit to impaired driving and other related offences prohibiting them from driving while they await sentencing.
Forret’s absence from the jurisdiction at the time of his guilty plea posed a challenge, he noted.
“He is somebody who relies on driving for his livelihood,” Henry said.
Mathurin said while the court would normally impose such an order pending sentencing, it’s not feasible since Forret wasn’t present to sign such an order.
However, the judge reminded Henry that once her client is sentenced, he will be subject to a mandatory driving prohibition as part of that sentence.
“He will be prohibited,” Mathurin told the defence lawyer. “He needs to be here for sentencing.”
Tragic crash in his past
This marks the second time Forret has admitted to a crime related to driving.
He made headlines a few years ago after he was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of his younger brother Dawson Forret.
Dawson, 16, was killed in a late-night crash on Oct. 5, 2017 on Route 640 in Yoho when Brandon Forret was at the wheel.
Brandon Forret was also charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm to Teagan Wilcox, Dawson’s best friend, who was also in the car.
Brandon Forret pleaded guilty to both counts in 2019 and was sentenced to nine months in jail for those crimes.
During the sentencing hearing four years ago, court heard Forret had the car he was driving up to speeds of 160 to 176 kilometres per hour when he went onto the shoulder of the road and lost control of the vehicle.
He and the two passengers were ejected from the car, as no one was wearing a seatbelt. Police reported alcohol wasn’t a factor in the 2017 crash.
In addition to the jail term, Forret was on probation for a year following his release and was prohibited from driving for two years.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
How many times does he need to learn this lesson ...?
His poor parents lost his brother because of his driving. That’s something you never get over. Unfortunately I know this. I miss my son