A 24-year-old Chinese man who has pleaded guilty for his role in a head-on crash that killed a London woman in November, may face up to eight years in prison.
Jinghao Zhou was charged following the November 24 crash on Sunningdale Rd. and Richmond St. that claimed the life of 60-year-old Gloria Chivers. The long-time carrier for the London Free Press was making her deliveries when Zhou’s SUV crashed into her vehicle at 3am. Zhou had between 185 mg and 240 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood at the time of the crash.
Zhou pleaded guilty to impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death back in May. He also pleaded guilty to two offences under the Immigration Refugee Protection Act, which relate to a fake work permit that Zhou was using to stay in Canada.
Zhou was back in court on Thursday where the Crown and the defence provided their sentencing recommendations to Justice Thomas McKay.
Lawyer Jim Dean, who is representing Zhou, is arguing that Zhou should get the minimum sentence of four years total. However, the provincial Crown is seeking a six year sentence for the impaired driving conviction. The federal Crown is also seeking an additional two year sentence for the immigration offences, for a total for eight years.
"Obviously the immigration considerations are a factor," said Dean. "I submitted in sentencing that [Zhou] doesn't get benefit as any Canadian would going through the prison system with any rehabilitation. When people are paroled, they are put in programs to help them move forward. He doesn't have the benefit of any of that."
Whichever sentence is handed down, Zhou will be deported back to China once he is paroled.
Zhou has been in Canada since 2013, when he gained entry into the county on a student visa. He remained in Canada with the use of the fake document.
On Thursday, the Crown read a victim impact statement, which was written by Chivers' husband Chris.
"Clearly and understandably he's very angry," said Dean about the widower. "He was, in the same regard, understanding that the sentence my client is given in court -- it really pales in comparison to what he'll have to live with for the rest of his life."
Zhou also read a prepared statement in court, which was translated by an interpretor from Chinese.
"[Zhou] expressed how very sorry he was, that he made no excuses," said Dean. "It was bad choices, [and that] prior to this he was a good person. His parents worked hard to give him every opportunity -- that's what he came here for -- and he failed in that."
Zhou went on to say that he has let down himself, his family, his culture, the people of Canada. Zhou said most of all, he now has a debt now to Chivers' and her family.
A sentence will be handed down at Zhou's next court appearance on July 14 in London at 10am.
-With files from Miranda Chant