Teen's lawyer says speed and inexperience key factors in fatal Saskatoon crash

A Saskatoon teen pleaded guilty in provincial court Wednesday to dangerous driving causing death in relation to a crash earlier this year.

The teen, now 16, hit a pole on Taylor Street East and flipped the 2008 Honda Civic on April 14, 2024. A 16-year-old passenger died at the scene and another teen in the car was injured.

"Too much car," said defence lawyer Ron Piche in an interview.

"Young chap — no criminal record, of course. No alcohol. No drugs. Just really unfamiliar with the vehicle."

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Piche said the teen's family is part of the city's tight-knit Pakistani community and the driver was friends with the boy who died.

"I think this is my client's attempt to show the remorse that he feels and accept responsibility at a fairly early stage," he said.

The teen cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

He is scheduled to return to court Jan. 28, at which point Piche said he anticipates making a joint sentencing recommendation with prosecutor Michael Pilon.

In the interim, Judge Doug Agnew ordered a pre-sentence report.