A sentence has been handed down in the case of a Pickering man who was killed earlier this year when his car was struck head-on in Quinte West.
On Friday Justice John Bonn handed down a sentence of six years for dangerous driving causing death and a consecutive sentence of 60 days for possession of a weapon to 49-year-old Camden Jopp of Quinte West.
Jopp’s vehicle drifted over the centre line on County Road 40 (Wooler Road) on the morning of Sunday, January 24, and caused a head-on collision with a vehicle driven by 63-year-old Michael Heron.
During the sentencing hearing, facts revealed that Jopp had passengers in his vehicle, some of whom sustained injuries in the crash, and he was impaired by drugs including Fentanyl.
It was also revealed that Jopp had earlier been offered a ride from a sober driver but turned it down.
The prosecution described witness testimony that said Jopp drove on the 401 erratically, sometimes hitting the rumble strips and drifting lanes, prior to the accident that took Heron’s life.
The defence went into detail on the circumstances surrounding Jopp’s use of drugs. He had allegedly been sober for a period of 17 years prior to beginning to use drugs again which started after the loss of his mother, father and brother, his only remaining close family, in a span of a few years.
Numerous victim impact statements were read Thursday. Heron’s wife, Deb, said it was normal for them to talk all day on the phone as he was a truck driver who frequently used a headset and that she was on the phone with him when the collision happened.
She tearfully described Heron as a jovial, caring man with a “gruff” exterior who was looking forward to his future.
Many described him as a wonderful musician who had a passion for playing the guitar.
When it was his turn to speak, Jopp spoke about his remorse over the situation. He said that he was sorry and that there’s “no amount of sorries that are going to bring Mike back.”
He said he knows it was exclusively his fault and that the sentence will just be the beginning for him.
Jopp also said he would like to somehow contribute to Heron’s wife financially.
Before officially handing down the sentencing, Bonn spoke at length about the circumstances.
He noted that he felt Jopp’s remorse was authentic, specifically citing the early guilty plea as opposed to fighting it which would inevitably lead to a much longer legal process, more court proceedings and more pain for the family and friends of the victim.
Bonn said that Jopp was participating in a methadone program while in custody and that he took him at face value when he said he wanted to stop using drugs for good and that he had shown he could do so in the past.
The prosecution and defence put forth a joint recommendation on the sentencing and Bonn said he had no reason to disagree.
Due to the fact that Jopp has been in custody since the incident and due to the circumstances of the pandemic and its effect on the prison system, 21 months were removed from the six year sentence for dangerous driving causing death for time served.
Jopp is also prohibited from driving for 10 years plus the entire period of his imprisonment, totalling approximately 14 years, he is prohibited from owning weapons for five years following his release from custody and he is prohibited from contacting all those who made victim impact statements at the hearing.
Before adjourning, Bonn told the family and friends of Heron that he hoped that as time passes they can find peace.
