Taylor Yaremchuk sentenced to 5 years in prison for the deaths of Jim and Annie Macdonald

The man who killed an Edmonton couple in an impaired driving collision will spend more than four years in prison.

Taylor Yaremchuk, 30, of Sherwood Park, struck the motorcycle. Jim, 68, and Annie Macdonald, 63, drove head-on on August 14, 2022, killing the couple.

Last September, Yaremchuk pleaded guilty to two counts of impaired driving causing death.

On Monday, Judge Shaina Leonard sentenced Yaremchuk to five years in prison minus 57 days for time served in pretrial detention.

He was also given a seven-year driving ban.

According to court documents, Yaremchuk's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.

He had no criminal record, but had previously received speeding fines and a road suspension.

Leonard said his driving history showed a disregard for driving laws.

The Crown was seeking five years in prison and a seven-year driving ban, and the family was seeking $55,027 in compensation.

The defense asked for a sentence of 4.5 years without restitution, and a shorter sentence if restitution was granted.

Leonard denied the restitution request.

At a sentencing hearing last month, the court heard 17 victim impact statements.

“The victims described in great detail the pain they felt,” Leonard said.

“The letters you provided helped me understand.”

The couple's daughter, Breigh Cohen, described her parents' deaths as “completely avoidable.”

“It's just another day. It's a difficult day. Nothing will bring them back,” she said in court.

“I just hope this sends the message that people should think twice before getting in a car after drinking. Because it really isn't necessary and our lives will never be the same.”

With files from Amanda Anderson of CTV News Edmonton