A woman who caused a fatal collision by driving in the wrong direction on a divided highway has received preliminary approval for day parole, which she will be eligible for next month. Brittany Barry, aged 35, admitted to driving under the influence, resulting in the deaths of Laura Hannah, 53, and Jamie Hannah, 20, as well as injuries to her own two children who were passengers in her 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 began on March 14, 2025. According to federal guidelines, inmates can apply for day parole six months before reaching one-third of their sentence, with a possibility of full parole after that point. Recently, the Parole Board of Canada granted Barry’s request to transition to a community-based residential facility, commonly referred to as a halfway house, upon becoming eligible for day parole.
Despite objections from the victims’ family members who believe it is premature for Barry to be released, the parole board took into account her acknowledgment of guilt, efforts towards personal development, and commitment to sobriety to honor the victims and ensure the safety of her children. The board highlighted Barry’s positive conduct during her time in minimum security and outlined conditions for her day parole, which include abstaining from alcohol, refraining from driving, attending treatment and counseling, and maintaining distance from the victims’ family, except for her own children. Barry is also subject to a driving prohibition as part of her sentence, with the no-driving condition serving to reinforce this restriction.