Sentencing adjourned for 14-year-old boy involved in crash on Idylwyld in May

A 14-year-old boy has had his sentence adjourned, related to his role in a fiery crash on Saskatoon’s Idylwyld Drive in May that left an 82-year-old man critically injured.

Last month, the teen entered guilty pleas on charges including possession of stolen property over $5,000, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and failing to stop after an accident.

Read more:

• Teen pleads guilty to dangerous driving and other charges after fiery crash on Idylwyld Drive
• Teen charged in fiery crash on Idylwyld Drive to remain in custody while lawyers work on release plan
• VIDEO: Man and boy facing charges after fiery crash on Idylwyld Drive in Saskatoon

“Unfortunately we will be seeking an adjournment,” Crown prosecutor Stephanie Varsanyi said at provincial court on Tuesday.

Varsanyi said the time until the new sentencing date will be used for an additional victim impact statement to be written.

Family members of both the accused and the victim were present in the courtroom on Tuesday. The teen, who appeared in a grey jumpsuit, will remain in custody until the new sentencing date on August 6.

The teen cannot be named under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.

According to police, the crash occurred at the intersection of Idylwyld and 58th Street West shortly after 8 a.m. on May 5.

Saskatoon police responded after receiving a report from Corman Park Police, which indicated a Dodge Durango SUV was being driven erratically and was heading into the city on Highway 11.

Corman Park police said the driver fled after an officer attempted to perform a traffic stop.

“The (Corman Park Police Service) officer disengaged, and the vehicle continued southbound before crossing the median into oncoming northbound traffic. The suspect vehicle struck a northbound vehicle, which subsequently caught fire,” police said in a statement.

The Corman Park officer was taken to Royal University Hospital “as a precaution” after the crash.

Kiefer Ballantyne, 24, was originally charged with breaching court-imposed conditions in connection with the incident. However, that charge was stayed this month.

According to information obtained from provincial court, Ballantyne also pleaded guilty to the offence of occupying a motor vehicle knowing that it was taken without consent of the owner.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

SIRT is an independent agency that investigates incidents involving serious injury or death resulting from police actions or that occur while someone is in police custody.