Almost three full months after Mikayla Ouellet was killed in a head-on collision, the driver of the vehicle police say caused the crash is now facing new and much more serious criminal charges with a maximum penalty of life in prison.
On Monday, Sault Police announced that 33-year-old Phillip Williamson has been charged with dangerous operation and causing death by criminal negligence in relation to a fatal collision that took place on Sep. 6, 2023.
Williamson had previously been charged with a Highway Traffic Act charge of careless driving causing death which, if convicted, could carry a fine of between $2,000 and $50,000, a prison term up to two years, and a licence suspension of up to five years.
The penalties that go along with the criminal charge are much more serious. If found guilty of dangerous operation and causing death by criminal negligence, Williamson could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
On the day of the collision, Williamson was driving a Ford pickup truck, one of three vehicles involved in the collision that occurred around 11:20 a.m.
At the time, police said the initial investigation revealed that the Ford pickup was eastbound on Wallace Terrace, east of Allens Side Road, when it crossed the centre line, striking a westbound delivery van and a westbound Chevrolet pick up.
The Ford pickup then left the roadway and rolled onto its passenger side. The driver of that pickup had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ouellet, the driver of the Chevrolet pickup truck, was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was later revealed she was pregnant at the time of her death.
Williamson appeared in Provincial Offences Court last week in relation to the Highway Traffic Act charge. Sault Police said the criminal charge has been laid in addition to the original charge. Eight people were in the courtroom in support of Ouellet, including her father Denis, who silently held a large photo of Mikayla.
Williamson was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on January 22, 2024.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and he is considered innocent unless proven guilty.