Tristan Big Sorrel Horse. (Fort Macleod RCMP)

By David Opinko

Man sentenced to three years for Fort Macleod fatal collision

Jan 10, 2022 | 3:04 PM

FORT MACLEOD, AB – A Southern Alberta man will spend three years in prison after a collision resulted in another person’s death.

On the night of December 14/15, 2019, Tristan Big Sorrel Horse, 19 years old at the time, went to a local hotel bar with a few friends and consumed alcohol. He and his friend, Andre Big Snake, went to a liquor store and consumed more alcohol before returning to the bar.

At approximately 2:20 am on December 15, Big Sorrel Horse drove his vehicle with Big Snake in the front passenger seat, despite Big Sorrel Horse being one month into a one-year driving prohibition for prior alcohol-related offences.

Driving along Highway 3 through Fort Malceod, they travelled at around 95 km/hr, although the posted speed limit was 50.

He lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree.

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Big Sorrel Horse got out of the vehicle and left the scene of the incident despite his friend still being inside.

He went into a convenience store to use their phone. He made three different calls but none were about seeking assistance for his passenger.

RCMP were surprised to arrive at the scene 22 minutes later with nobody notifying them about the collision.

It was not until seven days after the collision that Big Sorrel Horse turned himself in to the RCMP.

READ MORE: Suspect connected to fatal Fort Macleod collision turns himself in

While Big Sorrel Horse did eventually plead guilty to two of the three charges he faced, Crown Prosecutor Lisa Weich says that did not happen until nearly two years after the date of the offence.

In Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Monday, the father of the deceased read out two victim impact statements, one from himself and one from the victim’s grandmother.

He became emotional speaking about the toll this event has had on him and his entire family.

“It was hard to come to terms with my son’s death and it’s even harder to think about forgiving Tristan.”

Big Sorrel Horse read out an apology to the victim’s family, saying that Andre was his best friend and he was not sure why he did what he did. He said he is truly sorry for what happened but does not expect forgiveness.

Big Sorrel Horse was sentenced to 30 months in prison for failure to stop after an accident that resulted in death, and six months to be served consecutively for driving while prohibited.

He will also be barred from operating any motor vehicle for five years.

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