Families devastated as Austin Deir was granted parole this morning in New Brunswick
It was an emotional day in New Brunswick as the family and loved ones of Haley Keating and Erin Pretty tearfully begged the Parole Board of Canada to not grant Austin Deir parole. Despite their pleas, he was granted day parole – six months and one day after he was sentenced.
Tensions ran extremely high at the parole hearing. One man who was in attendance on behalf of the victims was removed from the room before the hearing even began, with personnel from the parole board saying they appreciate the pain felt by those in the room today. Once the decision was read that Deir would be granted day parole, the room erupted in anger.
In February, Deir was sentenced to three years in prison for dangerous driving causing the deaths of two young women just over two years ago.
It was another emotional morning for the heartbroken families of Haley Keating and Erin Pretty, the 22-year-old friends whose lives were suddenly taken just over two years ago. Families are furious that the 73-year-old was granted parole.
The young women were in a car that was hit head-on by an SUV that drifted into their lane on the TCH near Arnold’s Cove in January of 2024. Deir was initially charged with impaired and dangerous driving causing both deaths. However, the impaired charges were later dropped after the Crown failed to prove he was above the legal limit.
The victims’ families have expressed their outrage throughout the court proceedings. In October, family members swarmed the man as he entered court, expressing their anger, leading to a larger police presence.
The families voices, though, were later heard inside the courtroom in late 2025, through victim impact statements, expressing how Deir’s actions devastated their lives.
NTV’s Marykate O’Neill is covering the story and will have more at 5:30 and 6.
Related Articles
