The man who pleaded guilty in the death of teenaged cyclist Tylor Glasgow has been sentenced to an eight-year prison term for dangerous driving causing death.

Timmy Deer, 27, has 58 months, or four years and 10 months, left to serve for the death of 15-year-old Glasgow, who was struck down by Deer's car while riding his bicycle in Kahnawake on July 30, 2008.

Deer, who was driving without licence – his sixth suspension – was being pursued by Roussillon police in a high-speed chase over a traffic violation moments before, when police called off the pursuit inside the Mohawk reserve.

Deer was driving at close to 160 kilometres per hour at the time of the incident, something defence lawyers tried to pin on the Roussillon police for launching the chase.

"This police officer who was going after my client was going after him for a ticket. There are written directives in her police force not to pursue somebody for a ticket," said defence lawyer Philip Schneider.

Tylor's family said the Roussillon police should be held accountable for the teenager's death, and have filed a complaint with the police ethics commission.

The boy's parents also blame peacekeepers and others in the community for turning a blind eye to Deer continuing to drive, despite the licence suspension.

Kahnawake Peacekeeper investigator Warren White denies the group knew about Deer's infractions.

"The thing is, we don't know everyone. We don't know everyone's past," he said.