Pubdate: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 Source: Strathcona County This Week (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 Strathcona County This Week Contact: http://www.strathconathisweek.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3372 Author: Joelle Tomek, staff writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) MARIJUANA USER GUILTY IN FATAL COLLISION Jennifer Sollosy fidgeted in her chair as the evidence against James McIlwrick built toward a verdict. It was a decision she had been waiting for since Nov. 25, 2003, the day her best friend was killed in a collision near Sherwood Park. On April 12, Judge Leo Burgess found the 33-year-old man guilty of impaired driving causing two deaths and injuring two passengers in the vehicle. Tammy Engelking, the 27-year-old driver, was carpooling to work with three co-workers when her SUV was hit almost head-on by McIlwrick's truck. Engelking and Henry Yao were killed in the 7:30 a.m. crash. Dan Liew and Massoud Temouri survived with injuries. Medical evidence showed McIlwrick smoked a joint minutes before the crash and had a regular marijuana habit. He was also on three prescription drugs when he crossed the centre line of Highway 21 and collided almost head-on with the SUV. After about two years of studying evidence that included testimony from medical experts on both sides, Burgess ruled that, although alcohol was not a factor, the crash was caused by McIlwrick's use of marijuana and combination of prescription drugs. Defense lawyer Robert Wachowich asked that sentencing be delayed six to eight weeks so he could seek updated medical evidence. As the judge and lawyers pulled out their daytimers to schedule a final court date, Sollosy shook her head in dismay. "You'd think two and a half years was enough to wait. You'd figure action would be taken quicker, especially when lives are lost," Sollosy said outside the courthouse. McIlwrick was released on bail until his sentencing on June 19, but is prohibited from driving. While Sollosy is anxious for the case to be resolved, she said the sentencing won't bring real closure. "There's no punishment that's going to be severe enough," she said. "Nothing's going to bring Tammy back ... She's been my best friend for 15 years." "I want to let everyone know that drugs and driving are just as severe as drinking and driving," Sollosy added. Engelking's father, John Rudnicki, said he would like to see set legal limits for marijuana impairment to help judges in future cases. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin