Judge Sentences Quinton Courchene to 16 Months for DUI Crash

UPDATE: In a landmark ruling, Judge Rob Finlayson has sentenced Quinton Courchene to 16 months in jail for his role in a fatal 2021 drunk driving crash that claimed the life of his uncle, Bradley Courchene. The judge’s decision comes after a trial where Courchene was acquitted of driving at the time of the crash but convicted of lesser charges of impaired and dangerous driving.

The court found that both men were severely intoxicated, with Bradley Courchene having a staggering blood-alcohol level of .386, more than four times the legal limit for driving. The tragic incident occurred on November 8, 2021, near Pine Falls, after the two left the Papertown Inn bar.

Despite being found not guilty of impaired driving causing death, Judge Finlayson emphasized the community’s safety, stating, “A real jail sentence is the only sentence that is consistent with public safety.” He pointed to Courchene’s prior criminal record, which includes a 2009 conviction for impaired driving and other offenses, as justification for the harsh sentence.

The trial revealed significant details about the crash. Security footage captured Courchene entering the driver’s seat of Bradley’s 2017 Jeep Patriot before speeding away from the bar. Eyewitness accounts corroborated the dangerous driving behavior, describing how Courchene’s vehicle nearly collided with another car moments before the crash.

In a powerful statement outside the courtroom, Bradley Courchene’s daughters expressed their belief that Quinton was indeed driving at the time of the accident. “My dad was a good, kind man; he didn’t turn anybody away,” said Crissy Courchene, who lamented her father’s tragic fate and highlighted the family’s estrangement from Quinton since 2009 due to concerns about his lifestyle.

Judge Finlayson ruled that the evidence demonstrated Quinton Courchene posed an ongoing risk to the community, noting the lack of accountability reflected in his past actions. “Both individuals who were in the vehicle were severely intoxicated,” he stated. “Neither one of them should have been behind the wheel.”

The case highlights the severe consequences of impaired driving and the complexities of proving culpability in such tragic circumstances. Courchene’s defense argued that he and Bradley had switched places prior to the crash, complicating the prosecution’s ability to establish who was driving at the time of the accident. However, the evidence presented was sufficient for the judge to conclude that Courchene was responsible for the dangerous actions leading up to the crash.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, Courchene is set to serve his sentence, with implications for public safety and the ongoing conversation about the dangers of drunk driving. The case continues to resonate, serving as a grim reminder of the risks associated with intoxicated driving and the tragic impact it can have on families and communities.

Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant against impaired driving, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety on the roads. The sentence is a critical step toward accountability and a stark warning to others who might consider getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.