It's been three years since Mitchell Hazelton's hit-and-run collision with a vehicle driven by a pregnant woman.
And the victim is still traumatized and "vividly" remembers what occurred on that summer evening, court heard this week.
Hazelton's truck struck her SUV "incredibly hard" as he sped along Goulais Avenue on Aug. 20, 2020 and then didn't bother to stop to see if she was all right.
The woman, who was seven and a half months pregnant, was injured when the airbags in her Nissan Rogue deployed.
"I thought it would be okay and then I see him drive away," she said in a victim impact statement.
Calling Hazelton "careless and selfish," she questioned how someone could have no concerns about other people.
The woman suffered bruising to her chest and abdomen and spent time at the hospital where she was monitored and tests were conducted.
The memory of waiting to hear about the impact on her unborn son was the "longest time in my life" and "still haunts me."
Hazelton, 28, pleaded guilty in October to dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident and public mischief for falsely telling police his truck had been stolen.
During that court appearance, he also was convicted of impaired driving in connection with a December 2022 incident, when he struck a city police cruiser while traveling at a high rate of speed along North Street.
Breathalyzer samples revealed readings of 257 and 250 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
As well, Hazelton pleaded guilty to mischief for punching a hole in a wall on Oct. 10, 2021 and two counts of failing to comply with release documents.
On Tuesday, the Crown and defence jointly recommended he receive a conditional sentence of two years less a day, which will be served in the community.
Prosecutor Adrianna Mucciarelli and lawyer Anthony Orazietti also called for two years probation, during which time he can only drive for employment.
Hazelton has no criminal record, is remorseful, and his positive pre-sentence report indicates he has been taking appropriate steps to deal with his substance abuse, Mucciarelli said.
Orazietti told Ontario Court Justice John Condon that his client has been sober since last December and “seems to be a changed man.”
He has been attending substance abuse and mental health counselling for the past four months and "has worked hard to turn his life around."
Hazelton is employed with a subcontractor at Algoma Steel.
His employer has positive things to say about the young man, praising his work ethic and noting he usually works seven days a week, Orazietti said.
"I'm truly sorry for all the trouble I caused," Hazelton told Condon.
"Whatever sentence I impose it won't last as long as the impact on the victim," the judge said.
Condon rejected a request that he order Hazelton to write a letter of apology to the woman, suggesting she would likely question his sincerity.
"Just to add insult to injury," the judge said the victim had to spend $8,000 of her own money, in addition to what she received from her insurance company, to replace her vehicle.
Writing her a cheque to cover that cost would be more significant than an apology, Condon said.
"It's clear from the pre-sentence report you have done a lot of soul searching and have made significant changes in your life," he told Hazelton.
"You have upset a number of people's lives," but to your credit you also have turned things around, the judge said.
During his conditional sentence, Hazelton will be confined to his home.
He can only leave for medical emergencies, going directly to and from work, for counselling and treatment, and on Sunday afternoons to obtain the necessities of life.
As well, he can only operate a vehicle for employment purposes.
He is prohibited from having weapons, alcohol and other substances.
The driving restrictions and counselling conditions are also part of his two-year probation order.
Condon said he wished the victim had seen the pre-sentence report.
Perhaps "she would take more comfort if she saw what you've done" because "she's afraid you are going to hurt someone else."
He urged Hazelton to continue with what he has been doing.
"Don't come back. You are a changed man as long as you maintain these changes."