Calgary police officer's son pleads guilty to joyriding after fatal crash

The underage son of a Calgary police officer who was involved in a fatal hit and run has pleaded guilty to his role in the February crash.

Keith Morley was killed when a stolen pickup truck swerved into the oncoming lane, slamming head on into his car.

Morley died "way before his time," said his nephew Jesse Stephens in a victim impact statement.

"A man that did not deserve to diethat morning."

The teen was "forthcoming andco-operative" with investigators after his arrest, according to an agreed statement of facts.

"He is extremely remorseful," said his lawyer Desiree Tan. "These statements have opened up his eyes. [He] understands the grief and loss family members feel."

• 'He'd forgive her ... but I can't,' says brother of man killed in hit-and-run

'Devastating and sadlypermanent'

"It's not alleged that he's responsible for the tragic consequences," said Crown prosecutor J.P. Quenneville.

The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to being apassenger in the backseatduring a drive in a stolen pickup truckmore commonly known as joyriding.

The boycannotbe named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as he was 17yearsold at the time of the crash.

Crown and defence made a joint recommendation for a sentence of nine to 12 months probation.

"The consequences of the young person's behaviour ... has been far reaching, devastating and sadlypermanent," said Youth Court Judge Diana Mah when accepting the joint recommendation and imposing aone-yearprobation.

The teen is in treatment for drug addiction andwas joined in court by staff from theAlberta Adolescent Recovery Centre.

Warrants issued for suspected driver

Last month, Janelle Umpherville pleaded guiltyto a number of charges connected to Keith Morley's deathincluding theft and being in a stolen vehicle.

There areCanada-wide warrants out for Derek Brian Grouette,who police believe to be the driver.

The incident began when aTsuut'inapolice officertried to stop the pickup truck.

Court heard during Umpherville'sguilty pleathat three people the driver, the teen and Umpherville drove around the Cochrane area in a stolen truck, stealing other items,including an ATV,that they planned to sellto fuel their meth habits.

When they were back on the Tsuut'inaNation where the trio planned to store those itemspolice tried to pull over the truck, butthey fled.

After crossingthe Fish Creek Bridge, the driver swerved intoKeithMorley'scarand hedied at the scene.

The driver took off on foot. Umpherville hid with the other passenger under a nearby tree, but was soon found with the help of the police K9 unit.

The teen has been ordered to have no contact with Umphervilleor Grouette.

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