Cassie Korzenko sat in a Barrie courtroom today as victim impact statements were read out and sentencing arguments were made to the judge in connection to the south-end crash that left three pedestrians with serious injuries.
Korzenko, who was 32 years old when she was charged in December 2022, pleaded guilty earlier this year to three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm following the evening crash in front of Sadlon Arena at Mapleview and Bayview drives.
The collision, which happened Dec. 1, 2022, sent three people to hospital with serious injuries.
On Wednesday morning, court heard from Melanie Smith as well as the mother of Jeff Janes, who read out on her son’s statement on his behalf.
Smith, a community support worker with Empower Simcoe, as well as two middle-aged men, including Janes and another man identified only as Sean who receive support from the organization and are involved with Special Olympics, suffered serious injuries from the crash. They were on their way to a Barrie Colts game at Sadlon Arena.
During her statement, Smith said she was “forever changed physically and mentally that December day. Today, I live with chronic pain. I feel disfigured … and I have pain every day since the accident.
“My financial security has been jeopardized and it’s still uncertain whether I’ll ever be able to return to (my career)," Smith added.
Janes' mother read out that her son's “recovery has affected everyone in my family. My lifestyle and activities have changed entirely. Now I require more care and assistance, and I am unable to live alone.”
Janes suffered trauma to his head and face, broken ribs and shoulder, and a brain bleed due to the crash.
There was no victim impact statement read into the court record on the other man's behalf. Court was told that he is non-verbal.
The court heard Korzenko was impaired by the “cocktail” of drugs in her system on the night of the crash, which included cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and methadone.
Crown attorney Mary Anne Alexander, who said Korzenko “continues to pose a significant risk,” is seeking a six-year prison sentence.
Korzenko’s defence lawyer argued for a sentence of two years behind bars.
Korzenko made a short, 38-second statement to the court on her own behalf.
“I’m deeply sorry. I’m sorry you have to live with this … I know there is nothing I can do to take this back, but I do want you to know that I will remain sober," Korzenko said.
The sentencing hearing date has been scheduled for May 31.
Korzenko was arrested at the scene and charged following the crash. Barrie city police have said she was driving her vehicle southbound on Bayview Drive when she struck the pedestrians and then also collided with two other vehicles, whose occupants were uninjured.
Korzenko spent nearly two months in custody following her arrest, before being released on bail Jan. 25, 2023.
