8 years in prison for two lives ruined by going to buy your second bottle of wine of the day

The driver who took two lives in July 2023 while going to get her second bottle of wine of the day was sentenced Tuesday to an eight-year penitentiary sentence.

• Also read: 12-year sentence sought for driver who killed two people in violent head-on collision

• Also read: Fatal accident in Saint-Raymond in July 2023: “You killed my father for a bottle of wine”

• Also read: Deadly face to face: accused for the two deaths of Saint-Raymond

The court described Martine Linteau’s decision to drive that day as “irresponsible.”

And above all, Judge Marie-Claude Gilbert insisted on the fact that the 62-year-old woman continued to minimize her alcohol consumption on the day of the tragedy during the proceedings.

“She gives the impression of crying over her own misfortune,” lamented the magistrate, stressing that the accused, who had confessed to drinking a liter of wine a day for five years before the tragedy, was “most of the time soaked by alcohol”.

“His behavior demonstrates his recklessness for the lives and safety of others.”

Midway

The prosecutor in the case, M^e Valérie Bélizaire-Joseph, had argued for the imposition of a 12-year penitentiary sentence, calling on the court to increase the established sentencing ranges, especially in the context where the collision left two dead.

In defense, M^e Julie Bégin, for her part, suggested a sentence of “four to five years”, calling on the judge to focus on her client’s rehabilitation potential.

However, Judge Gilbert finally decided in two, imposing an eight-year sentence on Martine Linteau, highlighting in passing the numerous aggravating circumstances in the case, including the release of responsibility from the accused, as well as the risk of recidivism which cannot be ruled out. .

“It is surprising to read in the pre-sentence report that it will be important that upon her release, the lady must still be aware of the risks of drinking and driving,” insisted the magistrate.

The court also imposed a 5-year driving ban on Linteau, which will take effect at the end of his eight-year detention sentence, for a total period of 13 years.

Reminder of the facts

Martine Linteau took the wheel on July 25, 2023 after having a bottle of wine. In a curve on Route 365 in Saint-Raymond, the driver never braked or turned, causing a violent head-to-head with the motorcycle driven by Samuel Lacoursière. The impact left the 38-year-old man and his passenger, Audrey Michaud, 31, no chance.

In the moments following the tragedy, Martine Linteau confided to witnesses and the first police officer on site that she had been drinking.

“I’m drunk,” the woman said repeatedly.

The samples taken confirmed that Linteau had nearly twice the blood alcohol limit.

But worse still, Martine Linteau told investigators that she took the wheel to go to the convenience store.

“I was just going to buy another one. I had drink in my body and I drove the same.”

More details to come.