Kelowna Man Pleads Guilty in 2023 Hit-and-Run Death of 15-Year-Old Tristan Seeger
Shraddha Tripathy
10/14/20262 min read
Nearly three years after 15-year-old Tristan Seeger was struck and killed in Kelowna, the man responsible has pleaded guilty.
Brandon Kazakoff entered guilty pleas Tuesday to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and a separate count of assault.
For Seeger’s mother, Paule Moore, the court appearance also marked the first time she had come face-to-face with Kazakoff.
As the courtroom began to empty following the plea, Moore looked toward him and asked a direct question.
“Was it worth it?”
Kazakoff looked up and quietly replied: “No.”
Court Hears Events Leading Up to Fatal Collision
An agreed statement of facts read in court detailed the events of Oct. 21, 2023.
Seeger and a group of friends had arranged to meet near Ben Lee Park with the intention of using bear spray against another person as retaliation.
The situation escalated after Kazakoff learned that his father had been bear-sprayed during the confrontation.
Kazakoff then drove off looking for the group involved, found the teens and assaulted one youth before returning to his vehicle.
Later, at the intersection of Houghton and Franklyn roads, Kazakoff encountered Seeger.
The court heard that Seeger sprayed the passenger side of Kazakoff’s vehicle with bear spray.
Kazakoff then made a 180-degree turn and struck Seeger as the teenager was crossing the road.
Seeger died in hospital the following day.
He was 15.
Kazakoff Changed Plates and Burned Vehicle
The agreed facts also outlined Kazakoff’s actions after the collision.
The court heard that he changed the licence plates on his vehicle and was later arrested by RCMP after setting the vehicle on fire on a rural road.
While in custody, Kazakoff confessed to an undercover police officer.
According to the statement of facts, he also expressed relief that he was not facing murder or manslaughter charges.
For Moore, seeing Kazakoff in person was an important part of the process.
“He needed to see us,” she said outside court.
“He killed my son with a car ... He needed to see the lives that he affected because it wasn't just me and it wasn't just Tristan's dad.”
‘We Miss Him Every Day’
Moore said no court result can undo what happened to her family.
“This has never been about justice as such, because justice would be getting my son back,” she said.
Asked what she misses most about Tristan, Moore answered simply: “Everything. Everything.”
“His brother needs him. His friends need him.”
She remembered her son for his “cheeky grin,” adventurous personality and willingness to try new things.
“My son was not an angel. He was an idiot sometimes and made some really stupid choices,” Moore said.
“I miss that stuff about him. You know, we miss him every day.”
Seeger’s death prompted widespread grief in the community and a number of public memorials.
His family has also created an annual blood and plasma drive through Canadian Blood Services in recognition of the medical treatment he received before his death.
Another memorial celebrating Tristan’s life is planned for Oct. 23 at Ben Lee Park in Rutland.
Defence Says Kazakoff Accepts Responsibility
Kazakoff’s lawyer, Glenn Verdurmen, said his client feels deep remorse and entered the guilty plea to accept responsibility.
“He comes forward here and doing all he really can do, which is to say that it was him, that he made some grievous mistakes and that he realizes that someone lost their life in this situation,” Verdurmen said.
The court has ordered a sentencing report to be completed by Dec. 10.
Verdurmen said serious consequences are expected and confirmed that a jail sentence is likely.
“Hopefully this helps to provide some sort of closure to the community, but it'll take a long time to do that,” he said.
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