A woman who caused a fatal collision by driving the wrong way on a divided highway and resulting in the deaths of two individuals has been granted pre-approval for day parole, which she will become eligible for next month. Brittany Barry, aged 35, admitted to driving under the influence, leading to the fatalities of Laura Hannah, 53, and Jamie Hannah, 20, as well as injuring her own children who were passengers in the vehicle. The tragic incident occurred on October 19, 2024, on Highway 11 near Dundurn, approximately 35 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon. Barry is currently serving a six-year prison sentence, having commenced her term on March 14, 2025.
According to the regulations, federal prisoners can apply for full parole after completing one-third of their sentence and can request day parole six months before that milestone. On August 11, the Parole Board of Canada approved Barry’s application for release to a community-based residential facility, commonly referred to as a halfway house, once she becomes eligible for day parole. The parole board considered the objections of the victims’ family members, who believed it was premature for Barry to be released given the severity of the offense but also took into account her acknowledgment of guilt and efforts towards personal development.
Barry expressed her commitment to leading a sober lifestyle in honor of the victims and her children and pledged to make better choices in the future. The parole board emphasized that Barry has maintained good conduct in minimum security during her incarceration, with no reported behavioral issues. The conditions set for Barry’s day parole include abstaining from alcohol, avoiding bars, refraining from driving, complying with prescribed treatment and counseling, and maintaining no contact, direct or indirect, with the victims’ family except for her own children. Additionally, despite an existing seven-year driving ban as part of her sentence, the prohibition on driving was reiterated to reinforce this restriction.
