Twenty-four-year-old Shauntae Sunkawasti will serve 26 months in a healing lodge, after causing the death of a 75-year-old man, while driving impaired in Regina last year.
On May 13 2024, Sunkawasti drove through a school zone at just over 100 km/h with a blood alcohol limit that was nearly twice the legal limit. The woman then fatally struck 75-year-old, Donald Thibault, who was using a crosswalk on 7th Avenue near Albert Community School.
In addition to her time in custody, Sunkawasti will not be allowed to drive a vehicle for five years following her release.
The judge provided a recommendation that the woman serve time in the Okimaw Ochi Healing Lodge, located in Maple Creek, Sask. This type of facility is intended to provide culturally appropriate healing to incarcerated Indigenous women.
It was noted that Sunkawasti stayed on the scene until police arrived, and told officers that she had been drinking prior to getting behind the wheel.
The judge also highlighted that the 24 year old has struggled with alcohol abuse after experiencing physical and mental trauma.
