Keith Dunford gets 2-year jail sentence in death of flag person Ashley Richards

Keith Dunford, the motorist found guilty of hitting and killing a flag person at a construction zone on a Saskatchewan highway in 2012, is going to jail.

On Friday,WeyburnQueen's BenchJustice Lana Krogansentenced Dunford to two years less a day.

He will also be banned from driving for three years after he gets out of jail.

• Liveblog: KeithDunfordsentencing

Dunford was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of Ashley Richards. He was foundnotguilty of the more serious charge of criminal negligence causing her death.

The fatal crash, near Midale in the southeast corner of the province,led the Saskatchewan governmentto toughen up enforcement of rules in construction zones.

At the trial in August,Dunford, 47, had pleaded not guilty to both charges.

• 'Wasn't paying attention' man accused in death of flag person told RCMP

The charges stem from the Aug. 24, 2012 death ofRichards, 18, who had been working as a flag person.

Richardswason her first day working on the highway, and just a couple of hours into her shift, when she was struck and killed. She had recently moved to the province from Lakeside, N.B., with her fianc.

Dunford, a professional truck driver from the U.K., told police he was looking at his recent immigration papers when the crash happened.

Krogannoted that the truck driver was driving 90 to100 km/hbefore he hit Richards.

Kroganalso said that while Dunford showed remorse, and there was no alcohol involved, a probationary sentence would not deter others from committing similar offences.

The judgenoted Dunford ignored construction signs for 13 kilometres.

Victim impact statements were given byRichards' father, mother, sister and partner.

"They have experienced shock and grief and unimaginable pain," Krogan said.

Outside court, Crown prosecutor Mitchell Miller called it a "tragic" and "sad" case for everyone involved.

"This was all completely avoidable," Miller said. "The message from this case is, when you're in those orange zones, when you're in the construction zones, pay attention that's your duty."

Defence lawyer Aaron Fox said Dunford will be appealing both the sentence and the conviction.