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Abbotsford man sentenced for 2015 impaired-driving crash

Collision injured a 13-year-old boy on a scooter
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Emergency crews were at Gladys and Essendence avenues in September 2015 after the driver of this Mustang struck a teen boy on a scooter and crashed into another vehicle.

An Abbotsford man has been sentenced to a 12-month conditional sentence (house arrest) in relation to a 2015 impaired-driving crash that injured a 13-year-old boy on a scooter.

Jakob Warren Andrist Betsworth, 21, also received a two-year driving prohibition and six months of probation.

He was sentenced Dec. 28 in Abbotsford provincial court on two charges to which he had previously pleaded guilty: impaired driving and failing to stop his vehicle and offer assistance.

Five other charges – including dangerous driving causing bodily harm and impaired driving causing bodily harm – were stayed.

The collision took place Sept. 26, 2015 at about 12:30 a.m. in the area of Essendene and Gladys avenues.

A 13-year-old boy on a scooter was with a group of friends who were crossing east on Essendene in the crosswalk, when a Mustang driven by Betsworth and travelling north on Gladys attempted to stop at a red light and skidded through the intersection.

The vehicle crashed into a southbound Dodge truck, driven by a 17-year-old girl, and then veered toward the group of teens. All were able to jump out of the way, except for the boy on the scooter. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Betsworth then fled the scene on foot, but was caught a short distance away. A passenger in the vehicle remained on scene.



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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