A man has pleaded guilty to drunk driving that claimed the life of a woman in Richmond five years ago.
In the same crash near Vancouver International Airport on July 4, 2015, Christopher Dennis MacDonald, 29, of Vancouver, also pleaded guilty to drunk driving causing bodily harm to Delta man Glenn Taylor.
MacDonald had been set to stand trial Monday at Richmond Provincial Court, charged with a total of six counts, including dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.
In 2015, the News reported that Richmond RCMP responded to a two-vehicle incident on Grant McConachie Way around 9:45 p.m., after a Mercedes — driven by then 24-year-old MacDonald — apparently struck a Porsche 911 replica from behind.
According to RCMP at the time, the impact from the Mercedes sent the Porsche — driven by Taylor — off the road, where it then crashed into a tree.
Taylor’s passenger, Marcela Avila Matamoros, 42, was pronounced dead at hospital. She was visiting from Costa Rica.
Taylor, who was 50 at the time, was taken to hospital in critical condition, according to a statement from police.
MacDonald initially pleaded not guilty to all charges at a Jan. 6 court appearance.
However, on Monday he changed his plea to guilty for two charges, relating to drunk driving that caused bodily harm to Taylor and Matamoros’ death.
The Crown accepted the not guilty plea for the remaining charges, which included dangerous driving.
MacDonald’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 30.
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