Families call for tougher drunk driving penalties

Many in the province are calling for tougher drunk driving laws following the sentence for a man who pleaded guilty in a crash that killed four Grande Prairie teens.

Brenden Holubowich was sentenced to three years on four counts of dangerous driving causing death and one of dangerous driving causing injury. He originally faced 16 charges, including impaired driving, but those were dropped as part of a guilty plea.

The decision sparked outrage from families of the victims, as well as others who think the province should come down harder on those who cause fatal crashes.

"Our reason is to deter people, its to save lives," said Sheri Arsenault, whose son Bradley was killed by an alleged drunk driver.

"Nothing can be done for us or for me, I've lost my son Im doing this so you don't lose a loved one."

Bradley and two friends, Kole Novak and Thaddeus Lake, were killed when their car was hit by a pickup truck just south of Beaumont on November 26, 2011.

Jonathan Pratt, 28, is accused of impaired driving.

Right now, impaired driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Arsenault says shed like lawmakers to add a minimum sentence of five years.

Shes started a petition for the province to strengthen drunk driving laws and has now collected around 20,000 signatures.

"I am his voice, its through him I want a powerful legacy left behind for Bradley, Kole and Thad and all the angels out there that were taken in such a senseless act," Arsenault said.

Pratt is scheduled to be back in court May 8th.