Grandfather speaks after woman charged with deaths of family appears in court

The woman charged with drunk driving in the Jan. 3 deaths of a family of four was back in court on Thursday.

Appearing by video, 49-year-old Catherine McKay made a brief appearance in Saskatoon Provincial Court. McKay faces four counts each of impaired driving causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and driving with a blood-alcohol level over .08 causing death.

Lou Van de Vorst, grandfather to the two children killed in the crash, read a statement to media out front of the courthouse.

Van de Vorst lamented the tragic loss of his family members, calling their deaths a terrible crime. Choking back tears, he then thanked people who helped in the wake of the fatal collision on Highway 11 and Wanuskewin Road, including the first RCMP constable on the scene.

“..who stayed with my grandson Miguire until emergency crews arrived. All of the first responders who assisted at the scene. The staff  at the Royal University Hospital were incredible, incredible to us. Especially the pediatric intensive care unit. They’re a great bunch of caring, loving and compassionate people who do an incredibly difficult task,” he said.

Van de Vorst also thanked family members, friends, fellow church members and total strangers who have lent their support, and repeated a request for media to respect the family’s privacy.

McKay is due in court again on Jan. 20.