A young man accused of driving while impaired when he crashed into a Toronto family’s minivan, killing three children, has pleaded guilty.
Ethan Lehouillier of Georgetown, Ont., entered his guilty plea on Monday, according to a lawyer representing the children’s family. Lehouillier had originally faced 12 criminal charges, including three counts of impaired driving causing death.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of impaired driving causing death and three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm.
The fatal collision occurred shortly after midnight on May 18 near an exit off Highway 401 in Etobicoke.
Police allege that Lehouillier, who was 19 at the time, was alone and speeding eastbound in a Dodge Caravan when he lost control while exiting the highway. The vehicle crossed a median and struck a Chrysler Pacifica minivan that was stopped at a traffic light.
Inside the Pacifica were four children, their mother, and a family friend. Three of the children — siblings Ramone, Jace, and Mya Laviña-Galve — were killed in the crash.
The remaining three occupants of the minivan, including a 10-year-old child, survived.
The Laviña-Galve family declined to be interviewed on Tuesday through their lawyer, Coristine, who said it would not be appropriate ahead of sentencing.
Coristine said sentencing proceedings are scheduled to begin on Feb. 26. The family is expected to present victim impact statements.