Victim impact statement by Ken Proulx

The following statement by Ken Proulx, husband of Anita Proulx, was read into evidence at a sentencing hearing for Clayton Lapensee today.

Lapensee will be sentenced on February 12 after being convicted of driving while impaired, causing a four-vehicle collision that killed Anita Proulx and injured Amanda Proulx.

The full text of Ken's statement was provided to SooToday.com by Anita's family members.

Their hope is that people who read the statements will gain a clearer understanding of the horrifying damage drinking and driving wreaks upon families and the community at large.

************************* First, I would like to thank the court for allowing me to speak here today.

On Friday the 25th of November, 2005, my wife, daughter and grandson were in a major accident. Anita never came home again. She sustained major injuries and went into a coma. She never regained consciousness. We never spoke to each other again. After six weeks on life support, Anita passed away on January 3, 2006.

Anita was a loving, caring person with a great smile and sense of humour. She loved spending time with her family, friends and co-workers. She was always there to help if needed. Anita loved working in her flower gardens, reading and spending time with our grandson. We often went out for dinner, to the show or dancing. Anita could dance all day. In the last few years we had started camping again. We would take long walks along the beach and through the park in the evenings and often stopped to talk to friends and other campers. We would sit at a campfire and talk about our family, our future and what we would do in retirement. We can no longer do these things. I no longer sit at the camp fire or take the walks. Instead I visit her grave site and plant flowers for her.

The last two years have been very hard. I often think of the accident and what I could have done if I were there. If things had been different if I had gone with them. I think of the pain Anita went through and there was nothing I could do.

I try to move on with my life but there are so many memories in the home we built together, so many life memories over our 36 years together and so many lost new memories of anniversaries, birthdays, retirement and our time with our children, grandson, our families and friends.

Again, I would like to thank you for allowing me to speak here today.

************************* Full coverage of today's sentencing hearing Crown seeks five years for Lapensee Victim impact statement by Tricia Proulx-Medaglia Victim impact statement by Ken Proulx Victim impact statement by Renee Schell Victim impact statement by Amanda Proulx Victim impact statement by Kenny Proulx Victim impact statement by Lynda Bertulli

*************************