Drunk driver who killed woman in 2022 hit-and-run denied parole

The man who killed a 24-year-old woman while driving drunk in a high-speed hit-and-run collision in Transcona in 2022 was denied parole Wednesday.

In November 2023, Tyler Scott Goodman was sentenced to seven years in prison — six for impaired driving causing death and one for leaving the scene — for the collision that killed Jordyn Reimer on May 1, 2022, sparking outrage from loved ones who argued the sentence was too low.

The Wednesday hearing, at Stony Mountain prison, was to assess whether Goodman could be deemed a manageable risk if granted day or full parole.

Parole Board of Canada member Lesley Monkman said he wasn’t ready for either.

“We think that there’s more work that needs to be done and we don’t think that your risk is manageable, and we are denying your day and full parole,” Monkman said.

“I know this is a no-win decision… it doesn’t bring back the victim, it doesn’t give you a release, but it is about public safety, and that’s the board’s decision today.”

She urged Goodman, who is in his early 30s, to seek counselling while he’s behind bars.

Reimer’s mother, Karen Reimer, who had spoken in opposition to Goodman’s release, could be seen hugging a loved one after the board issued its decision.

After the hearing, Karen Reimer told the Free Press by phone she was satisfied with the decision.

“Their decision to deny Goodman day and full parole at the same time was, I guess, one small step towards renewing my faith in the criminal justice system,” she said.

She was emotionally drained after sitting through the nearly day-long hearing.

“It was very difficult. Even though we’re pleased with the decision, there’s little to celebrate as it doesn’t bring Jordyn back, it doesn’t end our permanent sentence of life without Jordyn.”

The Free Press attended the Stony Mountain hearing by video link.

The Correctional Services of Canada had recommended Goodman be granted day parole, but opposed his application for full parole.

“We think that there’s more work that needs to be done.”

If he had been granted day parole, he would have been sent to reside at a federal halfway house, with numerous conditions, outside prison walls.

“I have changed,” Goodman told the parole officials. “I feel awful, there’s no words to describe the amount of guilt and regret I have.”

Most federal prisoners are able to apply for day parole six months before they become eligible for full parole, which they typically can seek after serving a third of their sentence.

Goodman told the board he made an impulsive decision the night of the collision, as he was dealing with family and relationship issues, and meant to drop off his pals at a house party quickly to avoid seeing an ex-girlfriend there.

Board member Lisa Graham said, given the ex-girlfriend had taken his truck keys at the bar before a friend of his took them back, his actions could not be truly described as impulsive.

Goodman replied that he felt he was in a better position to drive than others and that he wanted to have his truck at home the next morning for a planned fishing trip.

He told the board he did not think his actions would result in a fatal collision. After the crash, he said, he did not know what to do.

Monkman said she accepted Goodman was likely in shock, but questioned why and how he did not connect the dots that Reimer, whose vehicle was catastrophically damaged, was seriously injured.

Reimer was on the way to pick up a friend when Goodman, who had consumed nine or 10 drinks at a Transcona bar, slammed his truck into her vehicle at 108 kilometres per hour after blowing through a stop sign at Kildare Avenue West and Bond Street, a 50 km/h zone.

He left the scene on foot with his passengers.

“I feel awful, there’s no words to describe the amount of guilt and regret I have.”

Goodman, whose mother picked him up after he left the scene, turned himself in after seeking medical care for minor injuries. His mother later pleaded guilty to obstructing justice.

Police officers had gone to his home’s door, but no one answered.

Board officials, who noted he had done some programming in prison, questioned why he had not sought counselling or other help.

Goodman said when he’s out of prison he plans to seek counselling and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He said he did not like how other prisoners approach the meetings behind bars.

Goodman told the board he does not think he has a big drinking problem, but did say he has no desire to ever drink again.

He also told the board he plans to work and go to school to get his welding ticket upon release.

Goodman said he does not ask for sympathy or forgiveness, telling the board he has deep regret. Goodman’s mother spoke in support of his application.

Reimer’s family, including parents Karen and Doug Reimer, have said they believe his sentence was too short to mete out justice for her death.

Several of the victim’s loved ones spoke in person at the hearing Wednesday, including Reimer’s mother, to oppose Goodman’s day parole application.

Karen Reimer’s voice was, at first, strained by emotion as she began to read from a letter. She wore a purple T-shirt, its back emblazoned with the phrase “Justice for Jordyn.”

“Grief does not lessen with time,” she said. “Grief permeates every part of your being.”

She said granting Goodman any form of parole would not constitute justice, or denounce his conduct or deter him and others from committing similar offences.

“How is this helping the public keep faith in the justice system?” she asked the parole board.

Karen Reimer argued Goodman has not participated in significant rehabilitative programming in prison and said she worried he would drive while impaired again if let out.

“There is no guarantee that Goodman, if given partial freedom, will not make the same series of choices again,” she told the board.

“And the risk, the outcome, if he does, will be no less catastrophic, for another mother, another family, another innocent life.”

A total of 17 people opposed to Goodman’s application put forward statements to the board.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca