Cassie Korzenko has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison in connection with a crash in front of Sadlon Arena in Barrie on Dec. 1, 2022 that sent three pedestrians to hospital with serious injuries.
She was also given an 8-year drive prohibition.
At the time of the collision, 52-year-old Melanie Smith, an employee of Empower Simcoe, was taking two middle-aged clients to a Barrie Colts hockey game when they were struck by a vehicle being driven by Korzenko at the intersection of Bayview Drive and Mapleview Drive East.
In sentencing Korzenko on Friday afternoon, the judge said "What could be more Canadian than going to a hockey game."
Smith and the clients, Sean and Jeff, suffered extensive physical injuries.
Police said Korzenko was driving south on Bayview Drive when she collided with the pedestrians, and also struck two other vehicles.
She was arrested at the scene.
Korzenko, who was 32 years of age at the time she was charged, pleaded guilty in January 2024 to three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm.
Court heard that on the night of the crash, Korzenko had cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and methadone in her system.
Outside the courtroom following the sentencing, Smith told reporters she was grateful no one died in the collision.
"I'm grateful that it's over, and I'm grateful for the support of my family and my friends, and all the frontline staff at Empower Simcoe. "They've been amazing. I want to get on with my life, and I'm ready to recover."
Smith said it was sad to see Korzenko go off to jail.
"That hurt my heart as a mom. But I hope she gets the help she needs where she is going."
Smith added that she has forgiven Korzenko.
