**Impaired Driver Sentenced to Community Service After Cyclist's Death** A motorist who fatally struck a cyclist while impaired by medication will serve her sentence in the community rather than in prison. Quebec Court Judge Dennis Galiatsatos described the case as unique and stated that incarcerating Christine Pryde, 33, of Île Bizard, would not benefit society. The incident occurred on May 18, 2021, when Pryde, driving a Hyundai Accent, hit 50-year-old Irène Dehem on l’Anse-à-l’Orme Rd. shortly after noon. "Miss Pryde is keenly aware of the gravity of her behavior and the importance of not repeating it," Galiatsatos said. He expressed concern about the risk she poses if she drives again, noting, "I’m acutely worried, still, about the thought of her getting behind the wheel of a car and her instability." Despite these concerns, the judge concluded that public safety could be managed through a lengthy driving prohibition, which both the prosecution and defense recommended. Galiatsatos stated, "Incarceration is not necessary to protect the public. There is no suggestion that the accused poses any other danger to those around her." Pryde received a 23-month sentence, which includes 16 months of house arrest and a requirement to complete 150 hours of community service within 15 months. The Crown had sought a 42-month prison term, while Pryde's defense attorney, Jessy Héroux, recommended a 15-month conditional sentence. Additionally, Pryde is prohibited from driving for six years starting Monday. For the last seven months of her sentence, she must adhere to a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., with limited exceptions. She is also barred from accessing social media and playing video games online or on consoles. During the trial, evidence revealed that Pryde had struggled with anxiety and sleep issues for most of her life. On the day of the incident, she felt fatigued at work and decided to drive to a coffee shop for an iced coffee, despite having regular coffee available at her workplace. Last year, Galiatsatos found Pryde guilty of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, operating a vehicle while impaired, and causing death by criminal negligence. The judge determined that Pryde's ability to drive safely was impaired by Ativan, a prescribed medication. On Monday, Galiatsatos stayed two of the three charges against Pryde. He noted the case's uniqueness, stating it was challenging for the lawyers to find precedents involving fatigue-related driving offenses. He contrasted Pryde's situation with cases involving alcohol or illegal drugs. Héroux emphasized the tragic impact of the incident, stating, "There are three young men who lost their mother. There is a father who lost his wife. There is a sister who lost her best friend." In a separate matter, Galiatsatos had previously ruled that a delay in delivering his decision due to language translation issues might violate Pryde's constitutional rights. This ruling was later overturned by the Quebec Court of Appeal. Héroux argued that the constitutional issue attracted significant media attention, warranting a community-based sentence for Pryde. She is currently appealing her conviction.