Austin Deir pleads guilty to dangerous driving charges in relation to fatal TCH collision
Impaired charges are conditionally withdrawn, with sentencing set for Oct. 31
The case against a Mount Pearl man accused of causing the death of two women — Erin Pretty and Haley Keating — in a January 2024 highway crash took a turn on Thursday when Austin Deir entered guilty pleas during an appearance at provincial court in Clarenville.
Five days had been set aside for a preliminary hearing in a case that has sent shock waves throughout Trinity and Placentia Bays, but Deir waived his right to that hearing during an appearance on April 10.
The matter was back in court on Thursday before Judge Andrew Brown, at which time Deir, who appeared via video conference alongside his lawyer Rosellen Sullivan, pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving causing death.
Crown attorney Allison Manning also announced that two charges of impaired driving causing death were being conditionally withdrawn.
Hearings are scheduled for Aug. 20 and Sept. 5 so Crown and defence lawyers can argue the facts under which Deir will be sentenced on Oct. 31.
Deir is 72 years-of-age and a veteran labour leader.
He was charged following a two-vehicle collision on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024 on a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Arnold's Cove. Driving conditions were good at the time.
Deir was driving westbound in a Chevrolet Equinox SUV, which collided head-on with a smaller eastbound Hyundai passenger car.
Pretty died at the scene. Keating died in hospital a week later. Both women were 22 years old. Keating was from Long Harbour, while Pretty was from Dildo.
Deir was pulled from his burning vehicle by passersby, and police said later that he "showed signs of impairment."
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