U.S. man accused in Mountie's death will have to come to Canada for sentencing

A 31-year-old Pennsylvania manwill have to come to Canada to be sentenced for his part in the crash that killed an RCMPofficer in September, a judge said Friday.

VasiliyMeshko ofWilkes-Barre pleaded guilty throughhis lawyer in Moncton court Fridayto driving without due care and attention.

A second charge of failing to move over was withdrawn by the Crown.

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RCMPConst. FrancisDeschnes, 35, died at the scene of the crash on Highway 2 nearMemramcookon Sept. 12.

Descheneswas anative ofSainte-Anne-de-Madawaskain northern New Brunswick and at the time of his death was serving with the RCMP in Amherst, N.S.

He had stopped near Memramcook to help two people in anSUVwith a flat tire, whenMeshko'sutility van crashed into his police cruiser and theSUV. The otherswere injured and taken to hospital.

The two Motor Vehicle Act charges against Meshko came at the end of a three-month investigation by the RCMP.

Police said there was not enough evidence to lay criminal charges in the case.

In court Friday, Meshko'slawyer, Hazen Brien, said he had been authorized by his client to accept a sentence in his absence.

But Judge Troy Sweet said it would be appropriate for the accused to be present in court to hear his sentence and asked how soon Meshko could be brought to Canada.

A sentencing hearing was scheduled forDec.22 at1:30p.m.

Const. Deschenes' widow, Savannah Bennett, was in court for the proceedings but left without making any comments.