Crown seeks three years in prison for driver in 2024 fatal crash near Wolfville

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewsNova ScotiaAnnapolis Valley Crown seeks three years in prison for driver in 2024 fatal crash near Wolfville Berwick mother of three pleaded guilty last March to dangerous driving causing death Author of the article: By Steve Bruce Published Sep 24, 2026 5 minute read Naomi Gerrits, 39, of Berwick is awaiting the judge's decision at her sentencing hearing in Kentville provincial court on a charge of dangerous driving causing death from a crash in Wolfville Ridge in June 2024 that killed an 87-year-old woman. Article content The Crown is seeking a three-year prison sentence for a Berwick woman who pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death from a crash in Wolfville Ridge in June 2024. Article content Naomi Gerrits, 39, changed her plea last March in Kentville provincial court. Her sentencing hearing was held recently, with the defence recommending a conditional sentence of two years less a day, followed by three years of probation. Article content Article content Article content Judge Angela Caseley reserved her decision until next week. Article content Gerrits was driving a Hyundai Santa Fe that failed to negotiate a sharp curve on Ridge Road near Wolfville on the afternoon of June 5, 2024, and struck a Toyota Corolla that was parked off the roadway and an elderly woman who was standing by the vehicle. Article content Joan Hill, 87, of Berwick was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 92-year-old husband, who had already gotten into the car, suffered minor injuries. Article content Gerrits and her seven-year-old son were not injured in the collision. Article content RCMP believed Gerrits was exhibiting signs of impairment. She was arrested and taken to the Kings detachment in New Minas for evaluation by an officer trained in drug impairment recognition. Article content She was subsequently charged with impaired driving causing death and was held in custody until the next day, when she was released on a $2,000 bail order with one surety and conditions worked out by Crown and defence lawyers. Article content The impaired driving allegation was withdrawn in November 2024 and replaced with the charge of dangerous driving causing death. Article content Article content SUV was going 27 km/h over limit Article content According to an agreed statement of facts, Hill and her husband, John James,…