Marie-Christine Parent lost her two sons in road accidents in the same year. At 16, Noah-Leewis was killed by his best friend while driving drunk. Despite the mourning, the victim’s mother never held a grudge against the young driver. She even begs for leniency from the Court, while the Crown demands a firm prison sentence.
Posted at 2:00 p.m.
« [L’accusé] has already suffered enough, on top of all the after-effects of the accident. At his young age, he needs help more than going to prison. I’m afraid for him. My son would have been the first to say that it was not his fault, but a joint decision,” explained the victim’s mother on the sidelines of the hearing Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.
Julien Ségaux, 21, pleaded guilty last summer to a charge of impaired driving causing death. In December 2021, when he was 18, he killed his best friend, Noah-Leewis Mercier, a 16-year-old about to celebrate his birthday.
That evening, in his basement, Julien Ségaux drank several beers with his friend while playing video games. Around 3 a.m., he got behind the wheel drunk with his friend. A serious mistake. His blood alcohol level of 0.139 was almost twice the legal limit of 0.08.
PHOTO TAKEN FROM MARILYNE PICARD’S FACEBOOK
Noah-Leewis Mercier, 16 years old
While driving “at very high speed” on Boulevard des Sources, near Highway 20, in the west of the island of Montreal, Julien Ségaux lost control of his car. It hit a concrete barrier before falling a few meters lower on Cardinal Boulevard.
Julien Ségaux remained in a coma for several weeks. He suffered significant and permanent cognitive after-effects which still prevent him from returning to his studies today. His driving license was revoked due to his health problems.
“Since 2021, Julien has been experiencing his pain. I would never hold him responsible,” insisted Marie-Christine Parent, addressing the Court. The victim’s mother, who said she “survived” thanks to Buddhist philosophy, testified with confidence. She wants to return to school as a special education teacher. “I continue, pis I’m not giving up. I work with children. It’s going well,” she swears.
However, she experienced the worst nightmare: the loss of two children. Her other son died just 10 months after Noah-Leewis in a road accident.
“You are a woman with extraordinary strength, we will tell each other that. Losing twice in 10 months is…” said judge Jean-Jacques Gagné, without finishing his sentence. “Help others,” the mother replied.
Marie-Christine Parent described her son Noah with the love of a mother. “She was the most beautiful person I knew. He was a compassionate being who hated seeing people suffer. He had extraordinary wisdom,” she testified.
Noah-Leewis’ father’s partner is Marilyne Picard, the MP for Soulanges. It was she who read a poignant letter on behalf of the family on her father’s side. “There is no pain greater than losing your son, your brother. Noah had a beautiful soul and incredible wisdom,” she said. The consequences on Noah’s other brothers and sisters were major, according to Mme Picard.
In a brief statement, Julien Ségaux expressed wanting to “redeem” himself and “apologize” to the family. “It’s unfair to Noah and his family that he was the biggest victim in this situation considering he wasn’t even driving. […] Driving under the influence can be deadly and it has a big, big impact,” the defendant said.
Crown prosecutor Me Sylvie Dulude is calling for a sentence of two years, less a day, in prison, while defense lawyer Me Robert Israel asks that the young man serve his sentence at home. Their sentencing arguments take place this afternoon.
