More than four months after she lost her three children and father in a fatal car crash, there are six words Jennifer Neville-Lake is no longer afraid to say: “A drunk driver killed my family.”

Until this week, she had hesitated to pronounce that sentence in public, as the case against Marco Muzzo, the 29-year-old accused of causing the Sept. 27 crash in Vaughan, moved through the courts.

Muzzo pleaded guilty Thursday in Newmarket to impaired driving causing the deaths of 65-year-old Gary Neville and his three grandchildren: Daniel Neville-Lake, 9; Harrison Neville-Lake, 5; and Milagros (Milly) Neville-Lake, 2.

Muzzo also pleaded guilty before Superior Court Justice Michelle Fuerst to impaired driving causing bodily harm to the children’s grandmother and great-grandmother.

He was then released on a $1-million recognizance until his Feb. 23 sentencing hearing. When he exited the courthouse wearing a dark suit and light-blue shirt, walking closely behind his mother, Dawn, amid a swarm of reporters, it was the first time the wider public had a glimpse of Muzzo since his arrest.

Muzzo had regularly appeared in court since September, usually by video from jail, but his lawyers had repeatedly asked for adjournments.

“I was afraid to call him what he is, a drunk driver, but now I can say that, and I don’t have to be afraid to say that anymore,” Neville-Lake, accompanied by her husband, Edward Lake, told reporters outside the courthouse.

A toxicologist found that Muzzo would have had between 190 and 245 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood at the time of the collision, nearly three times the legal limit, court heard.

The charge of impaired driving causing death carries a maximum prison sentence of life, while bodily harm has a maximum sentence of 10 years. The Crown and defence will make submissions on sentencing at the end of the month, and Fuerst will ultimately decide on the penalty.

Neville-Lake said it was “unfortunate” that Muzzo is now out on bail, but said she was relieved that one of his bail conditions is that he stay away from her family.

There was immediate backlash online when Fuerst ordered Muzzo released, but both she and his lawyer, Brian Greenspan, said he was not receiving any special treatment due to his status. Fuerst noted that the case has received widespread public attention since the crash.

The Muzzo family owns the construction company Marel Contractors and condominium builder Pemberton Group and is worth nearly $1.8 billion, according to Canadian Business magazine.

“This is not only routine, this would have happened with virtually anyone who has roots in the community regardless of status, regardless of wealth, regardless of any other issue,” said Greenspan.

Muzzo’s sureties are his mother, Dawn — with whom he was ordered to live at her Kleinburg home — and the parents of his fiancée, Taryn Hampton, who split the $1-million recognizance. Greenspan said Muzzo and Hampton will not be getting married while he’s out on bail.

Other conditions of his release include a curfew, abstaining from alcohol and being prohibited from driving.

An accused can ask for bail at any point before sentencing, but obtaining it for the first time between a plea and sentencing is rare, said criminal defence lawyer Daniel Brown, who was not involved in the case.

“Without a doubt, Mr. Muzzo’s ability to pledge significant money helped him obtain bail,” he told the Star.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

“It must be remembered that he and his family can lose the money they pledged towards the bail if he does not follow each and every term of his bail conditions. Regardless of the money offered, the court must also be satisfied that his family members will supervise him strictly.”

Crown attorney Paul Tait said in court that Muzzo “has some medical issues” that require him to attend appointments prior to the sentencing hearing. Greenspan wouldn’t offer specifics to reporters, other than to say his client has experienced “noticeable and obvious weight loss.”

Muzzo, standing in the prisoner’s box directly in front of his mother, said very little in court Thursday, other than to pronounce a barely audible “guilty” when asked for his plea. The Muzzo and Hampton families were surrounded by what appeared to be a private security detail, as they have been during their previous appearances at the courthouse.

Muzzo was travelling home to Vaughan in his Jeep Cherokee on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 27, after landing at Pearson airport in a private jet from Miami, according to an agreed statement of fact filed in court.

Muzzo ran a stop sign at the intersection of Kipling Ave. and Kirby Rd., crashing into the Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Jennifer Neville-Lake’s mother, Neriza Neville, who was heading westbound, sending the minivan into a ditch.

Neriza Neville’s mother, Josephina Frias, was sitting in the front seat, the two Neville-Lake boys were in the middle row, and Milly and her grandfather, Gary Neville, were sitting in the back, according to the agreed statement.

Muzzo applied the brakes 3.7 seconds before impact, according to the statement, but was still travelling at a speed of 85 kilometres per hour when he hit the minivan.

According to a police officer at the scene, Muzzo was unsteady on his feet, had glossy eyes, was losing his balance, had urinated on himself and smelled of alcohol.

Neriza Neville suffered a number of injuries, including fractured ribs, and is recuperating at home with ongoing neck and shoulder pain. She now suffers from anxiety.

Her mother, Josephina Frias, spent two weeks in hospital, then five weeks at a rehabilitation centre. She suffered significant memory loss and continues to suffer from a brain bleed.

Edward Lake and Jennifer Neville-Lake have chosen to mark their children’s birthdays and her parents’ wedding anniversary these last few months despite the loss of their loved ones.

Wednesday, the day before Muzzo’s guilty plea, was no different. It would have been Daniel’s 10th birthday. He was looking forward to celebrating with friends at Laser Quest. Instead, his parents were marking the occasion at his grave.

“(Muzzo) chose to do this. He chose to drive impaired,” she said. “Harrison, Daniel, Milagros, my dad — they can’t be brought back.”

Read more about: