A man convicted of criminal negligence causing death in a fatal car crash two years ago was handed a life sentence on Friday.
A judge handed Robert Clifford Smith a life sentence after the Toronto man was convicted of criminal negligence causing death in a fatal car crash in Scarborough on February 14, 2010.
Smith, 43, was being chased by police while driving a stolen van when he broadsided a car on Valentine's Day. The crashed killed 26-year-old Sara Attayee and injured five others.
Smith was driving the Dodge minivan at 102 kilometres per hour when he slammed into Attayee's Honda Accord.
Smith has been described as a serial carjacker and was convicted 193 times for thefts across the city before the fatal crash, including six involving police chases.
CTV Toronto's John Musselman reported on Thursday that the judge said the public could only be protected by ensuring Smith was behind bars.
Smith will be eligible for parole in 10 years. He has been banned from driving for the rest of his life.
Family members of the victim cheered in court as the sentence was announced.
"My sister was a beautiful sister," Najib Attayee told reporters after the sentencing. "She was ambitious, scintillating, very bright, extremely joyful and full of life."
With files from CTV Toronto's John Musselman
