Ricardo Cabral sentenced to 5 years for crash that killed a bylaw officer

[projekktor id=’25109′]

Updated:

A Brampton man has been sentenced to five years in prison for criminal negligence causing the death of 29-year-old Hamilton bylaw officer Ryan Powless. Ricardo Cabral was impaired and driving the wrong way on Highway 403 last year when he struck Powless’ car head-on. Powless was killed instantly and his passenger still suffers from that night.

Cabral didn’t say a word as he walked into Milton court to hear his sentence after pleading guilty to criminal negligence causing death and causing bodily harm, although he had to walk by a crowd of his victims near the door. Luanne Powless hasn’t been the same since police banged on her door with news of her son’s death.

“I just tell everyone I’m ok, and I’m not. I lost one of my babies.”

In the early morning hours of May 16, 2015, Cabral’s truck was seen on traffic cameras, first travelling the wrong way down Highway 407, then taking a ramp and going the wrong way on Highway 403, at highway speeds. Many drivers swerved to miss him. Just east of Waterdown road he hit Powless’ silver Nissan head-on. Cabral’s blood alcohol was measured at .11, over the limit of .08. He was slurring and confused on the scene.

Cabral received his sentence today but he doesn’t start serving it until September 1st. The judge gave him some extra time to accommodate an exam he needs to further his electrician career. The judge spoke of Cabral’s shame and remorse, but Powless’s parents say they didn’t see any. They will come to court September 1st because they want to see him led away in handcuffs.