Driver pleads guilty in Etobicoke crash that killed 3 children

The young man accused of being impaired and behind the wheel at the time he slammed into a Toronto family’s van, killing three children, has pleaded guilty in the case.

Ethan Lehouillier, of Georgetown, Ont., entered the plea Monday, a lawyer representing the children’s family confirmed in an email to CBC Toronto on Tuesday. Lehouillier initially faced 12 criminal charges, including three counts of impaired driving causing death.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of impaired driving causing death and three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, lawyer Michael Coristine said.

The deadly crash happened shortly after midnight on May 18 near a Highway 401 exit in Etobicoke.

Police allege Lehouillier, 19 at the time, was alone and speeding in a Dodge Caravan while heading east and was exiting the 401 when he lost control of his vehicle. The van then went over a median and collided with a Chrysler Pacifica minivan stopped at a traffic light.

Four children, their mother and a family friend were inside the Pacifica at the time. Three children — siblings Ramone, Jace and Mya Laviña-Galve — were killed.

Three family members, including a 10-year-old child, survived the crash.

The Laviña-Galve family declined an interview Tuesday through Coristine, who said “it would not be appropriate” in advance of Lehouillier’s sentencing.

Coristine said that process is set to begin on Feb. 26.

The Laviña-Galve family is expecting to deliver victim impact statements.