Kyla MacLellan receives 5-year sentence for drunk driving

KylaMacLellan has received a five-year prison sentence for impaired driving in a crash that killed a 55-year-old man near Lawrencetown Beach last year. After she serves her sentence, MacLellan is prohibited from driving for 10 years.

On April 7, MacLellan pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm.

MacLellan is also serving three years at the same time for severely injuring her friend, Danielle Drake, who was in the car with her.

MacLellan was driving a Honda Civic that collided with a sport utility vehicle on Highway 207 in July 2013.This was after she spent the previous evening drinking at Lawrencetown Beach.

The July 10 crash killed Mark Burnett, who was on his way to work when the crash happened just before 6 a.m.

MacLellan and Drake were in the other car. Both women were ejected from the vehicle and sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Burnett wastransported to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, but was declared dead on arrival.Burnett's wife, Andrea, says she will never recover.

"This is hurting everyone. It's not ok....I don't know what else to say exceptI'm going to miss my husband for the rest of my life," she said.

Burnett says society needs to take a stand against drunk driving.

"We have to stop this. We can't keep losing our loved ones," she said.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says the five-year sentence sends a strong message.

"Five years goes to the seriousness of the offence. So for now, that's another step," said AnissaAldridge, the president of MADD Canada's Halifax Regional Chapter.

In addition toMacLellan'ssentence, the judge also suggested she get counselling for any addiction issues.