A man who recently ran for chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band has been sentenced for his role in a fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision.
Hillary Cook received a three-year sentence yesterday after pleading guilty in December to charges of impaired driving causing death and failure to stop at the scene of a fatal accident.
The collision took place on August 9, 2014 on Highway 2 in the La Ronge area and claimed the life of 52-year-old local resident Gary Johnson.
But it was February of last year before Cook was eventually charged.
Once released from prison, Cook will be prohibited from driving for three years.
In addition to running for chief in the 2014 Lac La Ronge Indian Band chief election, Cook also once served on the band council.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations wants better education and affordable transportation options to help lower the number of impaired drivers.
The federation wants a chance to work on a multi-pronged approach to lower the number of drunk drivers.
The FSIN wants to increase education about drinking and driving and provide more affordable transportation options especially in rural Saskatchewan.
In a release, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says First Nations communities know all too well the devastating impacts of drinking and driving.
He adds the death and disability that result have far-reaching impacts on individuals, families, communities and government budgets.