James Misponas leaves the La Ronge courthouse on Aug. 19. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

drinking and driving

Guilty plea entered in impaired driving causing death case

Aug 19, 2025 | 4:56 PM

A 23-year-old entered a guilty plea to impaired driving causing death in a La Ronge courtroom on Tuesday.

According to an agreed statement of facts, James Misponas, who was 21 at the time, was travelling westbound along La Ronge Avenue in a grey Kia Forte on September 29, 2023 when they struck William (Billy) Taylor, 56, who was walking in the opposite direction. While the moment of collision wasn’t caught on surveillance, video from a nearby business shows Taylor on the hood of the vehicle, tumbling over the top and then landing in the middle of the street.

Taylor was taken to the hospital, where he died a day later as the result of a brain injury.

Moments after Taylor was struck, Misponas then collided into a Ford Expedition which was stopped at the intersection of La Ronge Avenue and Brown Street. The Kia continued through the intersection and came to a stop near Lakeview Apartments.

While exiting the Kia, Misponas was approached by two bystanders. Misponas attempted to flee from the scene, but the bystanders caught up to Misponas and forced Misponas to remain at the scene.

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Misponas was later detained and two hours after the collision was determined to have a blood alcohol level of .291, which is three-and-a-half times the legal limit.

The scene of the incident following the arrest of James Misponas. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The agreed statement of facts notes Misponas was travelling at a normal speed, did not intent to hit Taylor, and that they had no previous criminal or driving record.

In a victim impact statement, Taylor’s sister Victoria Cook wrote the incident has had a profound impact on their family. She called the pain and devastation caused by Taylor’s untimely death as immeasurable.

“When my brother Billy died, I felt my heart break,” she wrote.

“I lost my ability to function to sleep. It impacted my relationships and work. I would wake up every morning and relive everything, crying, knowing that he was gone. I feel sick when I think of how he died, what had happened to my little brother? Did he suffer? Did he feel pain? Did he see it coming? What were his last thoughts? Did he think of us, his family, his children? Was he scared?”

Cook noted Taylor was stolen from his family and that his death will have a lifelong impact. She also added she would like to see Misponas incarcerated and would like to see justice be served.

Judge Nathan Forester reserved sentencing until Oct. 24. The prosecution is asking for a three-year federal prison sentence with a seven-year driving prohibition, while the defence wants a conditional sentence, including one-year house arrest, a period of probation and community service work.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com