(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS – A Kamloops man was handed a jail sentence today for hitting and killing a pedestrian while driving without a licence.

Donald Charles Isadore, born 1950, showed little reaction in Kamloops Provincial Court when Judge Stella Frame told him he would be serving jail time for his repeated instances of unlicenced driving. He never had a full licence, only a learners licence for a brief period. 

In November 2012, Isadore was driving a truck and struck and killed Valerie Brook, 66, while she crossed the street on a crosswalk.

Isadore has been caught driving while prohibited five times since 2011. After the accident involving Brook, Isadore continued to drive until he was caught in January 2013.

Brook worked at Royal Inland Hospital. Evidence suggested Isadore did not apply the brakes; her body flew up to 9.5 metres. Her family was present in court Monday morning.

“If giving my life would bring her life back then that’s what I’d do,” Isadore told the court.

Isadore said his family would often request rides from him and despite being under a court order to not drive, he would often comply.

“He drove because his friends and family wanted him to,” Frame said. “He showed a complete and relentless disregard for the laws, prohibition and court orders.”

Isadore bought his vehicle after he received a settlement for attending a residential school, an experience which he said still impacts him today. To drive his new truck, Isadore acquired an interim license. It was revoked after workers at the superintendent’s office discovered he had previously driven without permission.

Before delivering her sentence, Frame told the court how Brook’s death has impacted the family. She told the court family members were left “completely heartbroken.” Victim impact statements said the severe emotional trauma from the accident led to family members having angry outbursts and struggles with relationships. One member developed a dependency on alcohol.

Frame said because Isadore has repeatedly failed to comply with court orders, house arrest would be an unfit sentence.

“I have no confidence that Mr. Isadore will honour the terms of his sentence,” Frame said.

Frame handed Isadore a six-month jail sentence. He is prohibited from driving for three years following his release.

To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014