Drunk Driver Who Killed Mom Of 4 Gets Harsh Sentence

It was a crime that robbed a husband of his beloved wife, four kids of their mother and a mom of her daughter. There are few that have been left untouched by the death of Terri Callaway. The Oak Ridges resident was killed by a drunk driver as she went for a jog in November 2006, not far from the home where her family was awaiting her return.

Matthew Junkert (top left), the 35-year-old behind the wheel that night, was convicted of driving under the influence and going 90 kilometres an hour in a 50 zone. He was found guilty of dangerous and impaired driving causing death, with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.

Now Junkert will have a while to consider his actions that night, after receiving a five year jail sentence and a 10 year ban from driving. It’s considered one of the stiffest drunk driving penalties ever doled out for a first offender and it’s left the family of the victim divided over whether justice was meted out.

For Callaway’s husband Gareth, the outcome leaves him with mixed emotions. Saying he believes the judge in the case “had a good understanding of the misery that this guy inflicted,” the still bereaved spouse claims Junkert has never shown any remorse for his callous actions that night.

“I’m not satisfied because my wife’s dead,” he relates, bitterness evident in his voice. “I have absolutely no regard for the driver. Do I wish him well? No. Do I hope he gets reformed? I don’t care … I have no regard for him whatsoever.”

Callaway calls the judicial process “vile” and agrees that while it closes a chapter for the community, “It’s not there for the victims and the victims’ families.”

But the victim’s mother is trying to take a different road on the long journey to healing, insisting the love of her grandchildren is keeping her from becoming bitter. “He has yet to even fathom the extent of that tragedy,” Micheline Cassidy laments. “I lost my only daughter, Gareth lost a loving wife and my children will be impacted by this tragedy for the rest of their days.”

The judge was clear that a message had to be sent. “The carnage, the terrible injuries, and the senseless tragic death continue almost unabated,” Justice Peter Wright made clear in his ruling.

But Junkert’s lawyer, Martin Herman, calls the five year penalty “a little harsh,” and maintains his client has shown his sorrow for his actions over the years.

“He showed it in lots of places but people aren’t prepared to accept his remorse … He was remorseful on the night in question, at the police station, he was in tears with the breath technician and he was in tears with the officer in charge …Why no seems to think that’s of any importance, I don’t know.”

Junkert has yet to decide on an appeal but he could be out on parole in as little as 20 months.

All of which is little comfort for Gareth Callaway, whose life must continue without his wife by his side.  

“I can’t even begin to describe the absolute misery that this action inflicts on people,” he concludes. “My oldest is now 11, my youngest is five. They’re just part way into their lives without their mother … It certainly doesn’t bring closure.”