Dangerous driving causing death charge added for Winnipeg police officer in fatal hit and run

A Winnipeg police officer is facing three more charges in connection with the hit and run that left 23-year-old Cody Severight dead.

Justin Holz is facing additional charges of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving and driving with a blood-alcohol levelover.08 per cent causing death.

• Off-duty Winnipeg cop arrested after car hits and kills pedestrian

Severight was struck and killed while crossing Main Street near Sutherland Avenue around 8 p.m. on Oct. 10.

Holz,a 34-year-old police constablewho was off-duty at the time of the fatal collision,was initiallycharged with impaired driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. He's on administrative leave with pay.

Dangerous driving causing death charge added for Winnipeg police officer in fatal hit and run

7 years ago

Duration 1:43

A Winnipeg police officer is facing three more charges in connection with the hit and run that left 23-year-old Cody Severight dead. Justin Holz is facing additional charges of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving and driving with a blood-alcohol level over .08 per cent causing death.

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU), which investigates all serious incidents involving Manitoba police officers, has been probing the death.

On Tuesday, theIIU said Holz was facing the additional charges, which included dangerous driving causing death and driving with a blood-alcohol level over .08 per cent.Breath samples were obtained fromHolzseveral hours after the hit and run, police said in October,but at the time the results of a breathalyzer hadn't come in.

• Hit-run victim's family disappointed accused did not make court appearance
• Breathalyzer delay for officer chargedraises questions, former cop says

Currently, themaximum sentence for a dangerous driving causing death conviction is 14 years behind bars, but legislation proposed earlier this yearwouldpush that to life.

Two other policeofficers, assigned to helpinvestigate the hit and run, were also placed on paid administrative leave and could face charges, police said on Oct. 20.Those officers did not administer the breathalyzer tests and they did not attend the crash scene.

Mothers Against Drunk DrivingWinnipeg chapter presidentDenise Elias said shewas disappointed to hear about thenew charges.

"The first feeling that I had was sadness. It is very disappointing, very hurtful," she said, to hear about such charges against someone who has sworn "to uphold the law, to abide by the law and work so hard to keep us safe, to keep our roads safe."

'He did a terrible thing'

Gloria Lebold,Severight's grandmother, said she is glad the officer is facing more charges.

"I'm glad he's got all of these charges.I'm glad he's going to have to deal with them," she said.

"I think he should go to jail. He did a terrible thing. He took an innocent life, only 23 years old. We loved our little grandson."

Holz had his firstcourt appearance scheduled for last Wednesday, but a representative from his lawyer's firm appeared on his behalf. The officer is currently out on bail.

Lebold said with the additional charges, she hopes to see Holz in court. The family has called for an apology from the officer.

"For me, I think he should be in jail because of all these charges," she said.

Severightwas making exciting plans for his future when he was killed, Lebold said. He had just moved to a new apartment and was planning on going back to school.

"We loved our Cody. This little guy was just starting his life," Lebold said.

The IIU said the investigation is ongoing.