Crown seeks 7 years for driver who caused fatal Manitoba crash

Tears flowed in a courtroom here in Portage La Prairie today as more than a dozen of Kelly Verway's loved ones talked about how her death changed their lives forever. The 28-year-old was killed in a car crash in January 2025. The man who caused the collision later admitted he was driving with meth in his system. James Hilton pleaded guilty to impaired driving and failing to stay at the scene. On Friday, prosecutors asked a judge to send him to prison for seven years. Hilton's lawyer asked for a lower sentence. My beautiful girl. Verway's mom says she watched her daughter graduate with honors, fall in love and start a business. Now she's mourning what could have been. There was so much ahead of her, she said in court. The unfinished future weighs heavy on my heart. When Kelly died, Part of me died along with her. Some of Verwey's family spoke directly to Hilton during their victim impact statements. One of her aunts told Hilton she forgave him. She said, I pray that you never forget Kelly and that the price she paid for your choices, January 15th, 2025, changes your life for the better. She would have wanted that. Verwey's family advocated for changes to Canada's bail system after her death. Police previously said Hilton was wanted at the time for failing to follow release conditions. Hilton's mother told Court Friday she blames herself for her son's struggles with drug use, something she's also grappled with. When given the chance to speak, Hilton at times spoke through tears as he addressed Verwey's family, telling them, I would like everyone to know that this has affected me and changed me as a person for the rest of my life. I understand that I'm in no position to ask for sympathy, remorse, or forgiveness, but with all my heart, I'm deeply sorry. Hilton's comments sparked an angry outburst from one of the Verwey family's supporters who was removed from the courtroom. The judge wrapped up the hearing without handing down a sentence. That decision is expected next month. Caitlin Gowerluck, CBC News, Portage La Prairie.