The Kitchener-born woman at the centre of the explosion on Woodman Avenue in Aug. 2019, faced her first sentencing hearing via Zoom on Thursday morning.
Victims of the drunk driving incident shared how the event has effected them in the 16 months since Daniella Leis drove into a home in Old East Village, subsequently hitting a gas line and causing three homes to collapse in a blast.
In Oct. 2020, Leis, 24, pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm in relation to the explosion.
Victims share emotional statements
Laura Earle, who was a resident of Woodman Avenue said the lives of her and her family have been forever changed since their home was destroyed in the explosion.
“The only things we recovered from our house was the heritage sign and a few bricks, and we cherish those items,” she said over Zoom. “We will always remember what we went through. We are different than we were before, and we always will be.”
Photo from Aug. 2019 shows the damage caused by the explosion. (Photo Courtesy of London Police)
Emma Fisher also spoke at the hearing. Fisher was just twelve years old at the time of the explosion that obliterated her house. She said her and her mother both continue to experience trauma, reacting emotionally to the sounds of slamming doors and loud, open spaces.
“I have been greatly impacted by the explosion,” she said. “It makes me feel unsafe, and I’ve noticed that normal, everyday experiences tend to be more anxiety-inducing for me.
Fisher also expressed guilt over the loss of her pet who died in the explosion.
“I can remember him running under the bed after the house was hit,” she said. “I would think, ‘if I had just held on to him, maybe he could have been saved.'”
Emma’s mother, Karen Fisher also gave a tearful statement directly to Leis.
“Daniella, I hope you never have to experience such a tragic loss at the hands of another person that could have been prevented so easily,” she said.
Fisher added that her hope for Leis is that she becomes an advocate against drunk driving.
Daniella Leis’ tearful apology
After months of silence, Leis addressed the victims for the first time in an emotional statement.
“I think what made this so difficult was week after week discovering new and awful things that had happened to people…all because of me,” said Leis through tears. Leis had previously admitted to getting behind the wheel of her father’s car after attending a concert at Budweiser Gardens. She had been drinking alcohol.
Leis thanked the first responders that arrived to the scene, as well as Woodman Avenue victim, Hailey Grey. It was revealed to Leis Thursday that Grey had been the one to try and pull Leis from her car after the crash.
“I wouldn’t be here today if you hadn’t risked your lives to save mine,” said Leis.
Several emergency rescue workers were critically injured in the blast, while over 70 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
“I can’t express how truly sorry I am for what I’ve done to you,” said Leis. “It is one thing to hear what an accident was like on the news. It is another thing to hear it from your statements. It really gives me a perspective of just how reckless my actions were.”
Several times throughout her statement, Leis offered up her apologies to all those affected by the devastating explosion.
“To the families who lost everything because of me, I’m so sorry.”
Sentencing date confirmed
Crown Attorney Jason Miller asked the court for a three year prison sentence for Leis. Leis’ lawyer, Richard Braiden asked the court to consider a shorter prison sentence, with probation, stating a need for rehabilitation. Braiden also noted that a prison sentence in 2021 carries extra weight due to concerns related to COVID-19.
Miller, however, argued that Leis’ sentence should reflect the consequences of drunk driving, in order to deter future drunk driving incidents.
This is Leis’ first and only criminal offence.
Justice George Orsini set the date for his decision to Feb. 11. Leis will appear in person in court to receive her sentence then.
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