Driver Sentenced After Fatal Crash on Quadra Street
Dugan Ingram received a two-year driving prohibition and a $2,000 fine on November 9, 2026, after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention following a July 28, 2025, crash that killed 68-year-old Sylvie Argouarch at a Saanich intersection.
Potential Fines and Driving Bans Reach Maximum Levels
- Assesses a maximum financial penalty under the Motor Vehicle Act, capping the statutory fine at $2,000.
- Imposes a two-year driving prohibition matching the Crown’s suggestion, surpassing the one-year ban requested by the defense.
Ingram Struck Argouarch at a Controlled Crossing
Argouarch was riding her bicycle on the Lochside Regional Trail when she stopped at the Quadra Street crossing, pushed the button, and waited for the light to turn green before proceeding, according to timescolonist.com reporting. Prosecutor Sofia Green stated in provincial court that the cyclist “was doing everything she was meant to be doing.”
Six seconds after the traffic light had turned red for northbound traffic, Ingram drove his GMC Sierra pickup truck through the controlled crossing without stopping, striking Argouarch as she neared the other side. Argouarch died in hospital five days later after being removed from life support.
Ingram, 63, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention under the Motor Vehicle Act rather than facing a Criminal Code charge. Judge David Silverman noted during the sentencing that the $2,000 fine imposed is the maximum financial penalty allowed by the legislation.
Judicial Assessment of Driving History
Judge Silverman acknowledged that the public would view the sentence as grossly inadequate,
but explained that the court must punish inattentive driving rather than the tragic consequences of the conduct. The judge noted that Ingram’s driving history includes six alcohol-related 24-hour driving prohibitions and 16 moving violations.
Silverman found Ingram’s offending to be at the highest end of the spectrum of careless driving, noting the inattentiveness was far from brief or momentary.
Ingram did not respond to the red light for at least six seconds, and no obstructions made the cyclist difficult to see.
| Legal Parameter | Defense Request | Crown Suggestion | Judge Silverman Ruling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Prohibition | 1 Year | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Financial Penalty | Not Specified | $2,000 | $2,000 (Maximum) |
| Offence Category | Motor Vehicle Act | Motor Vehicle Act | Driving Without Due Care |
Ingram Apologizes While Family Seeks Stronger Sentencing
During the court proceedings, Ingram apologized to Argouarch’s family and stated that he thinks about her every day. Silverman remarked that while he did not question the sincerity of the apology, the driver needed to engage in careful self-reflection.
Outside the courthouse, the victim’s husband, Hugh Aitken, expressed that he would have liked to see a stronger sentence. In his victim impact statement, Aitken described his wife as someone who persevered tirelessly and engaged with life fully.
Putting one step in front of the other, my daughter and I survive the grief of the last 15 months knowing that we were loved and shared a love that brought out the best in us,
Aitken said in court.
