Semi driver's sentencing delayed in fatal motorcycle crash that killed two riders near High Prairie

The sentencing hearing for a semi driver convicted of killing two motorcyclists has been postponed after a sudden medical issue forced an adjournment.

Michael Maurice Koochin, 40, of Slave Lake, pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing death and six counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. His sentencing was scheduled to begin Thursday but was deferred due to the Crown prosecutor's medical situation.

The deadly crash occurred on August 31, 2024, near High Prairie, about 300 km northwest of Edmonton, on Highway 2 near Sucker Creek First Nation. Koochin's 1995 GMC tractor-trailer crossed the centre line and struck a group of motorcycle riders participating in Red Rum Motorcycle Club's Red Road to Healing bike run, which raises awareness and money to help people experiencing homelessness on Treaty 8 territory.

The two men killed were Laurent Isador, 38, from the Driftpile First Nation and Tyler Duboski, 33, from Edmonton. Both were fathers. Isador, who helped organize the ride, was considered a spiritual leader in the community.

Court heard that Koochin's insurance had expired in August 2024 due to non-payment when he was hauling rig waste to a landfill the day of the crash. His vehicle was also not roadworthy at the time. He was charged with 26 counts when arrested in January 2025.

More than 30 family and friends of the two men killed had prepared victim impact statements to be read at sentencing. These statements were read into the record on Thursday even as the sentencing was postponed. Duboski's grandmother, Leah Dubowski, told the court: "That terrible day will haunt us forever. The tears that hurt the most aren't the ones that fall from my eyes and run down my face, they're the ones that fall from my heart and cover my soul."

Cody Clemente, a close friend of Duboski who was struck by another motorcycle during the chaos of the crash, was airlifted to hospital with a head injury and extensive bruising. His mother told court that Clemente died 14 months later on December 19, 2025, after struggling with PTSD from the crash.