A Six Nations man has been sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest after pleading guilty to dangerous driving in a 2022 crash that killed a 12-year-old girl and left her mother with life-altering injuries.
Darris Wilson, now 31, was driving a pickup truck on Oakland Road south of Brantford on Feb. 11, 2022, when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a vehicle carrying Naomi Beverly and her daughter, Sierra.
Sierra died at the scene. Naomi suffered multiple broken bones and a serious brain injury and continues to require around-the-clock care because of lasting physical and cognitive impairments.
Wilson pleaded guilty in August 2025 to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The Crown sought a four-year penitentiary sentence, while his defence requested two years less a day of house arrest.
Justice Gethin Edward imposed the house-arrest sentence in September 2026, citing several factors, including Wilson’s Indigenous background, his age at the time of the crash, his lack of a previous criminal record and his guilty plea.
The decision also considered Gladue principles, which require courts to take into account the circumstances and systemic factors that may have affected an Indigenous person when determining an appropriate sentence.
The court heard that Wilson had experienced a significant disconnection from his Six Nations heritage while growing up. Edward said Wilson had since begun reconnecting with his culture and described that process as an important factor in his rehabilitation.
Evidence presented during the case showed the crash occurred in a 50 km/h zone. Data from Wilson’s pickup indicated he was travelling at about 88 km/h shortly before the collision. A witness said the truck had drifted toward the shoulder twice before suddenly crossing into the opposite lane. There was no evidence that Wilson braked before impact.
Police also found 13 beer cans behind the driver’s seat, four of which were open. Wilson was initially charged with impaired driving, but officers did not report signs of impairment. The Crown ultimately determined there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that alcohol had contributed to the crash.
During sentencing, the court heard more than a dozen victim impact statements describing the grief and lasting consequences experienced by Sierra’s family and others affected by her death.
Wilson addressed the court before sentencing, acknowledging the permanent consequences of the crash and expressing remorse for Sierra’s death and Naomi’s ongoing injuries.
Naomi’s lawyer said her client continues to experience significant physical and cognitive challenges, along with post-traumatic symptoms and substantial care requirements that will not be fully covered by automobile insurance.
Under the sentence, Wilson must remain under house arrest and wear a GPS monitoring device. He can leave his residence for approved purposes, including employment, education, medical appointments, court appearances and religious or traditional activities.
He is prohibited from consuming alcohol or cannabis and cannot drive for five years. After completing the custodial sentence, he will serve three years of probation and complete 240 hours of community service.
Friends of Sierra and Naomi have launched a petition calling for the sentence to be appealed. Naomi Beverly and her partner, Larry Demelo, have also said they would not oppose a Crown appeal.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the complex sentencing considerations surrounding dangerous-driving convictions, Indigenous offenders and crashes involving catastrophic harm.