Sask. woman expected to plead guilty to dangerous driving in fatal highway collision, lawyer says

The woman charged in a fatal collision near Saskatoon in October is expected to plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death, her lawyer says.

"It was important for the accused if she can save the victims in this case and those affected through a prolonged process, that was certainly part of her priorities," the woman's lawyer, Brian Pfefferle, said Thursday.

Brittany Barry, 33, was driving on Highway 11 near Dundurn, Sask., around 9:45 p.m. CST on Oct. 19, 2024, when she collided head-on with an SUV, killing two occupants: Laura Hannah, 53, and Jamie Hannah, 20.

The two victims were from Lake Isle, Alta., according to police. They were travelling from the Edmonton area to a family function in Moose Jaw. Barry is from the RM of Corman Park, outside Saskatoon.

Police said that Barry was driving on the wrong side of the highway with two of her children in the vehicle when the fatal crash happened, about 35 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon. The two children were hospitalized following the crash.

Speaking in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday, Pfefferle said he had instructions from Barry to enter guilty pleas to two counts each of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He said Barry is expected to be in court for her sentencing on March 14 to formally enter the pleas.

Barry's guilty pleas, Pfefferle said, speak to her taking accountability for her actions.

WATCH | Lawyer Brian Pfefferle explains why the defence is waiting to enter Brittany Barry's pleas: 

Sask. woman expected to plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death, lawyer says

11 hours ago

Duration 1:13

The attorney for Brittany Barry, 33, said she will plead guilty for her role in a fatal crash near Dundurn, Sask., in October 2024. Barry collided head-on with an SUV, killing two occupants: Laura Hannah, 53, and Jamie Hannah, 20.

Pfefferle said the defence and Crown are expected to provide a joint sentencing submission to the court, but said he would hold those details until the next appearance.

Barry was charged with a total of 16 offences following the crash, including impaired driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Pfefferle expects the remaining charges to be stayed or withdrawn once Barry enters her guilty pleas.

"There's a lot of litigation risk involving complicated charges and impaired driving charges, criminal negligence charges are some of the most complicated offences in the criminal code and as a result of that there's lots of various issues that can arise in these cases," Pfefferle said.