The provincial charge against the man police say was responsible for the crash that killed a pregnant Sault Ste. Marie woman last September has been dropped.
Phillip Williamson, 32, was charged with careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act on Sept. 29 -- three weeks after the fatal three-vehicle crash that killed Mikayla Ouellet.
In December, Williamson was also charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with dangerous operation and causing death by criminal negligence.
On Wednesday morning, the Crown dropped the HTA charge in a provincial offences court hearing in favour of the more serious criminal code charge.
FAMILY DEVASTATED
Several of Ouellet's loved ones attended Williamson's court hearing Wednesday as her family continues to grieve her loss.
"She was a person who was going to do very well in life and was robbed of that," Denis Ouellet, her father told CTV News in a social media chat.
"It's not getting easier for us. This really destroyed our family."
Her father said Mikayla looked out for the family.
"We really don't know how we will move forward because she played a huge part of our future," he said.
"I hope justice will be served so that there will be dignity of her passing and that no one else can fall victim to this carelessness."
Ouellet was six weeks pregnant at the time of the fatal crash, her father told CTV News.
THE CRASH
Ouellet, 26, was killed when an eastbound Ford pickup truck crossed the centre line at the intersection of Wallace Terrace and South Eden Street, east of Allens Side Road on Sept. 6.
The Ford then struck a westbound delivery van and Ouellet's Chevrolet pickup truck, a police news release said.
"The Ford pickup then left the roadway and rolled onto its passenger side," police said.
"The driver of the rolled over pickup had to be extricated from the vehicle and was subsequently transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries."
Ouellet was pronounced dead at the scene while the delivery van driver was not injured.
FACING POSSIBLE JAIL TIME
Penalties for careless driving causing death or bodily harm under the HTA are a fine between $2,000 and $50,000, prison time of not more than two years or both, as well as a driver's license suspension for up to five years.
The person convicted may be ordered to take a road safety or driver training course.
Under the Criminal Code, the possible jail time is higher.
"There are various degrees of dangerous driving and the penalty will depend on the severity of your offence," criminal defence firm Saini Law said on its website.
"If you’re charged with and convicted of dangerous driving causing death, you’re guilty of an 'indictable offence' and liable to serve a maximum of 14 years in prison."
A conviction would also come with a lifetime criminal record, possible probation and increased insurance rates, Saini Law said.
The next court date is scheduled for Jan. 22 as the case continues through the court process.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca will continue to follow the case and provide updates.
