The family of a 17-year-old allegedly involved in a fatal crash on Circle Drive Wednesday is grieving for the loved ones of the 70-year-old man who died in the collision.
The teen’s aunt spoke to reporters outside Saskatoon Provincial Court, where the youth was appearing on charges of breaching probation and breaching an undertaking – those charges are not linked to Wednesday’s crash.
Police said earlier this week that a charge of dangerous driving causing death was pending in the case.
“We feel bad. Day in, day out, we can’t sleep. We keep on crying. We keep on thinking about this family that lost their grandpa, their father, their dad,” she said.
The boy’s aunt said the family is upset he wasn’t held in custody after showing up at court high on drugs a few hours before the collision.
She said this happened despite the teen’s mother asking the judge not to release her son.
“People were going against her in this provincial courthouse. She was stating her son needed help for his addictions and it was like nobody was hearing her,” she said.
She said the teen was an exemplary student and a motivational speaker for young people before he relapsed into drug use.
“(He’s) an example for all children that are trying to straighten out and the addictions are too strong. I just pray today,” she said.
The teen’s lawyer requested a report be prepared on the boy’s addiction issues and treatment options ahead of a bail hearing.
The youth is back in court on Sept. 14.