N.L. road racer apologizes to dead woman's family

A man who was behind the wheel in a central Newfoundland road race that resulted in a woman's death says he's sorry and is asking her family for forgiveness.

Ryan Watkins, 20, and Richard Glibbery, 21, were racing ona two-lane highway near Boyd's Cove last May when Henrietta Head, 71, who was not taking part in the race, was forced off the road.

Head died after her car skiddedfrom the Reach Run Causeway into the ocean.

Watkins and Glibbery were both charged on May 11 with criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.

Watkins, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was in a Gander court Tuesday.

In a statement of facts, the court was told Watkins and Glibbery were travelling 130 kilometresan hour through an 80 kilometre zone.

According to the statement, when they came up behind Head's car, Watkins pulled out to pass. He hit Glibbery's car and the car Head was driving was pushed into the ocean.

When police arrived, Watkins failed a breathalyzer.

In court on Tuesday, a family member read a victim impact statement on behalf of Head's son

"She did not deserve to die is such a horrific way," her son wrote. "My heart is broken, my life is changed, my mother is dead."

Watkins apologized for what he called his "cowardly decisions" and asked Head's familyto forgive him.

The Crown has proposed a five-year prison sentence, while Watkins's lawyer has suggested a three-year sentence.

Watkins is due back in court for sentencing on May 6.

Glibbery is also due to make a court appearance later this spring.