Perhaps there are some places that are just unlucky, or maybe there’s something about them that lend themselves to misfortune. Either way, an intersection in southwestern Ontario has now been the scene of two similar fatal motor vehicle accidents in the past two years. The latest injured three people and claimed the life of an elderly woman.
The scene of the accident was the intersection of Colborne Street West and Gilkison Street in Brantford. At around 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2016, Brantford police tried to stop a vehicle being driven by a man wanted for stabbing his brother. The suspect refused to stop and ended up causing the collision shortly afterward. Coincidentally, the same intersection was the site of a fatal collision that also involved a police pursuit.
There were three occupants in the vehicle that was struck. The driver was not hurt in the crash, but a passenger was taken to hospital with serious injuries, including broken bones. A second passenger, a 94-year-old woman was also taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. One occupant of the fleeing vehicle was treated for minor injuries.
The man wanted by police was arrested at the scene of the accident. He has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at an accident causing death. He also faces charges related to the stabbing which prompted the flight from police. A Special Investigations Unit is probing the causes of the accident.
Like so many tragic accidents, this one was caused by negligence and disregard for human life. Due to the horrendous outcome and the complicated circumstances, the victims and their families are likely to be involved with legal and insurance issues for a long time to come. Though something terrible occurred, families of victims of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Ontario might take some comfort in exploring their legal options against the negligent party with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Source: Brant News, “Police are investigating a fatal collision on Colborne Street West“, Victoria Gray, Nov. 7, 2016
