le-Bizard woman convicted in 2021 death of cyclist in Montreal's West Island

An le-Bizard woman was convicted Thursday in the death of a cyclist in Montreal's West Island.

Christine Pryde was found guilty of dangerous driving, impaired driving and criminal negligence causing the death of Irne Dehem.

On May 18, 2021, 50 year-old Dehemwas riding her bike onl'Anse--l'Orme Road around 12:15 p.m. when she was hit by a car, according to Montreal police spokesperson Const.Jean-Pierre Brabant.

At the time, awitness told police that the driver was heading southwhen she failed to navigate a curve in the road, Brabant said.

The cyclist wasnorthboundwhen she was struck, and the car ended upin a ditch.

Following the collision, Pryde told several people she'd fallen asleep at the wheel. She had taken prescription drugs and the judge said she ignored the potential side effects.

The victim's husband, Dominic Lemelin, says he hopes this case sends a message.

"Under circumstances where you feel you should not be driving, that people really take it seriously," said Lemelinof what he hopes others can take from the verdict. "But apart from that, it doesn't change anything from the fact that my kids don't have their mother anymore."

Pryde was so shaken by the ruling that the hearing had to be suspended several times.

She will be back in court for sentencing arguments in February.