A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for an impaired driving crash, in which he slammed into the van of a Toronto family nearly a year ago, killing three children.

Justice Kimberley Crosbie sentenced Ethan Lehouillier of Georgetown, Ont., in an Ontario Court of Justice courtroom in Toronto on Monday. She also imposed a 20-year driving prohibition, which will be in effect for 12 years after his sentence ends. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation will make the decision whether he’ll be able to drive again. 

Two adults and an additional child were injured in the Etobicoke crash.

Crosbie gave Lehouillier credit for time served in custody since his arrest and for harsh jail conditions. That means he will serve approximately six years and five months in prison.

"Impaired driving is a scourge of our times," Crosbie told the court.

"That it is so preventable makes the horrors that can result sting that much more. For those present today whose lives, families and friendships have been torn apart — and here I include the Lehouillier family — we can do little more than wish some measure of peace as the years go by."

Defendant caused 'monumental harm,' judge says

The judge said her decision was guided by the deaths of the three children and what she called “the monumental harm the defendant has caused.”

But she weighed that against what she said was Lehouillier’s genuine remorse, guilt and shame, noting he pleaded guilty early, never sought bail and has been held in custody since the crash.

She also factored in Lehouillier’s young age and struggles with mental health as outlined in his psychological assessment. The decision was also influenced by past drunk driving cases.

“Today, this courtroom is filled with mourning relatives and friends whose lives will never be the same. The ripple effects of this crime will never end for this family. Mr. Lehouillier’s future will be disfigured by a dreadful feeling of guilt that will never dissipate,” Crosbie said.

Lehouillier, 20, could be seen wiping his eyes in the courtroom. 

The Crown had asked for eight to 10 years, while the defence had asked for between six and eight years.

Lehouillier pleaded guilty in December to three counts of impaired driving causing death and three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm.

Toronto police seen at the site of the crash that killed three siblings, Ramone, Jace and Mya Laviña, on May 18, 2025 in Etobicoke. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC)

The crash happened shortly after midnight on May 18 near a Highway 401 exit in Etobicoke.

Police alleged Lehouillier, 19 at the time, was alone and speeding east on the 401 in a Dodge Caravan and exiting the highway when he lost control of his vehicle. The van then went over a median and collided with a Chrysler Pacifica minivan stopped at a traffic light.

Four children, their mother and a family friend were inside the Pacifica at the time. Three children — siblings Ramone, Jace and Mya Laviña — were killed.

The other three people in the van, including a 10-year-old child, survived the crash.

Losing 3 children 'has shattered our lives,' mother says

Jade Galve, the mother of three children killed, told reporters outside the courtroom that the sentence was too lenient.

"Driving under the influence is a violent crime. A vehicle is a weapon. There have been hundreds of deaths due to impaired driving and it's still ongoing."

"Losing three of my children has shattered our lives forever. The offender has been sentenced to eight years. It is eight years too short," Galve said.

"He doesn't deserve a second chance. My children were killed on impact. They never had a chance."

Jade Galve, the mother of the three children who were killed, told reporters: 'Losing three of my children has shattered our lives forever. The offender has been sentenced to eight years. It is eight years too short.' (CBC)

Galve said penalties for impaired driving should be harsher in Canada to make sure people make better decisions before getting behind a wheel while impaired.

"We now have to live with the pain and the loss but somehow continue our lives. Let's make a change. Let's make better decisions. Let's protect our children by teaching them about awareness and responsibility," she said.

"I thank everyone on behalf of the children and for all your support and continued support. May Jace, Ramone and Mya rest in peace for all eternity."

Michael Coristine, a lawyer for the family, said he thought the judge's decision was a thoughtful one.

"As Ms. Galve said, no sentence is going to make anyone happy, and certainly we can all understand why she feels like it should have been a lot longer, but within the confines of the law, it's certainly an appropriate sentence that her honour arrived at today," Coristine said.