'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing

A sentencing hearing for a man who pleaded guilty to a fatal hit-and-run in the Kitsilano area two years ago began Friday.

Alexander Romero-Arata was brought to Vancouver court on Friday morning to be sentenced for the death of Ogan Byrne, a 24-year-old from Ireland, in an incident that occurred on June 19, 2022.

Byrne's family came to Vancouver from Ireland to read victim impact statements not only for Romero-Arata, but for her family members as well.

Prosecutor Mark Mehre began the hearing by reading the statement of Mike McGovern, Burn's friend who was with him on the night of the incident.

McGovern told the court in his statement that he suffers from severe symptoms of PTSD and has vivid memories of the incident. He also stated that he sometimes thinks about suicide because of seeing his friend killed in front of his eyes.

"Ogan disappeared before my eyes," McGovern said. I screamed out of shock and horror."

Videos played in court - recorded by a friend of Romero-Arata's car - show him speeding through a red light at 140km/h. CCTV footage shows the moments when Byrne and McGovern were crossing West 4th Street at 10:40 p.m., when Romero-Arata's car sped toward them.

Romero-Arata fled the scene after confronting Byrne, prosecutors said.

The court later heard Romero-Arata's 911 call the next day, where she told the operator her car had been stolen.

Byrne's family was not in court when the video and audio were played, but returned to the courtroom after it ended to read victim impact statements.

Ogan's mother, Mary, was the first to speak in front of her family. With anger in her throat, she told stories about her son and his positive and kind personality. Mary explained that Ogan was buried near a castle in Ireland, and she made a pilgrimage there every day.

"It can never make us whole again," said Mary.

Ogan's father, **Eugene**, also expressed his deep feelings and told the court that his family's suffering was terrible and not a day goes by that they are not saved from this great sadness.

"We are completely crushed, overwhelmed with grief," Eugene said. We only hold on to Ogan's memory."

Ogan's sister, Susan, and brother, James, also shared stories about their brother and the impact he had on their lives.

Suzanne, who held a photo of Ogan in her hand for most of the day, told the court that life would never be the same without him.

"A bitter aftertaste of sadness always remains after everything," Susan said. Everything has become soulless and dark."

The prosecutor requested **five years in prison** and **15 years driving ban** for Romero-Arata. The sentencing hearing is scheduled to continue on Monday morning.

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