A woman who caused a fatal collision by driving in the wrong direction on a divided highway has been granted pre-approval for day parole, scheduled for next month. Brittany Barry, aged 35, admitted guilt to drunk driving that led to the deaths of Laura Hannah, 53, and Jamie Hannah, 20, as well as injuries to her own two 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 term, which was imposed on March 14, 2025, and has completed about a year and a half of her sentence. According to regulations, federal prisoners are eligible for full parole after serving one-third of their sentence and can apply for day parole six months before that milestone.
In a recent ruling dated August 11, the Parole Board of Canada approved Barry’s request for release to a community-based residential facility, commonly known as a halfway house, upon her eligibility for day parole. The decision faced opposition from the victims’ family members who deemed it premature for Barry to be reintegrated into society due to the severity of her offense.
Despite the objections, the parole board considered Barry’s acknowledgment of responsibility and her efforts towards personal development. Barry expressed her commitment to maintaining sobriety and avoiding criminal behavior in the future, emphasizing her intention to be a responsible mother to her children. The board acknowledged Barry’s positive behavior during her time in minimum security and approved her “leave privileges” while at the halfway house, allowing her to visit family, attend church, and participate in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
As part of the conditions for her day parole, Barry is prohibited from consuming alcohol, entering bars, driving, and must comply with treatment and counseling requirements. She is also instructed to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the victims’ family, except for her own children, and must adhere to a seven-year driving ban imposed as part of her sentence.
