Winnipeg driver pleads guilty in hit and run that killed mother of three

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A Winnipeg man has admitted responsibility for a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a 43-year-old Sudanese immigrant.

Kelvin Mark Lavallee, 26, pleaded guilty Friday to one charge each of dangerous driving causing death, driving over .08, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Lavallee was behind the wheel of a red Audi A4 the evening of Sept. 26, 2023, when he blew through a red light at the intersection of Fermor Avenue and St. Mary’s Road and struck and killed pedestrian Akuch Machuor.

Lavallee did not stop or slow down as he approached the intersection and, after hitting the woman, continued driving for another 3.7 km before pulling into an Esso gas station at Beaverhill Boulevard, Crown attorney Nick Reeves told court.

Police arrested Lavallee as he was gassing up his vehicle.

While in custody, Lavallee “provided a statement to police admitting to drinking before driving and failing to stop after the collision that killed Ms. Machuor,” Reeves said.

Lavallee remains free on bail and will return to court for sentencing Sept. 22, on what was to be the first day of his trial.

“It is unlikely (the Crown and defence) will have a joint recommendation,” defence lawyer Zach Kinahan told King’s Bench Justice Sheldon Lanchbery.

Court heard an off-duty police officer was driving behind Lavallee minutes before the crash and saw him tailing other vehicles and weaving in and out of traffic. Another motorist stopped at a red light reported seeing Lavallee on his cellphone.

“While I am thankful for the legal system providing closure, it is important to recognize that no amount of punishment can fully heal the pain of losing someone so dear,” said Rev. Abraham Monybuny Chuol of Emmanuel Sudanese Mission.

Chuol and Machuor met as teenagers living in a Kenyan refugee camp after being displaced during a civil war in Sudan. She arrived in Canada as a refugee in the early 2000s and the two friends reunited.

“The memory of Akuch will always be cherished by those who knew and loved her. Let us also remember that she was not just a victim, but a mother and daughter to someone,” Chuol said.

At the time she was killed, the single mother of three had just started a new job as a health-care aide.

— with file from Scott Billeck

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca