Charges

Note: It is possible that some of the information presented below is incorrect, though I think it is accurate.

The police have laid charges against the bus driver who hit and killed Ailish. He faces two counts under the Traffic Safety Act: failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk; and careless driving.

Together, these amount to ten demerits on his driver’s license. I believe criminal charges were not laid because the police (or the crown prosecutor) would need to demonstrate more than a momentary lapse in concentration and/or judgment. It still feels like an awfully small penalty to pay for taking Ailish’s life. But I guess he will have to live with what he’s done for the rest of his life.

01
August 24th, 2011 9:05 PM

Oh, wow.

I suppose it’s one of those things that doesn’t get easier because blame is laid … it was a horrible, awful mistake that has unfortunately permanent consequences. No penalty could be big enough to make amends.

The burden of guilt must be a heavy one for him to carry. I suspect that the memories of that day would be punishment enough for any human being of decent conscience.

02
ClpX
August 27th, 2011 2:56 AM

Lawyer?

03
Christopher Thompson
August 27th, 2011 7:17 AM

AJC, I agree with the burden of guilt.

ClpX, not quite sure what you are asking. I expect the bus driver has a lawyer. As an employee with a really good union, it’s pretty likely. Last I heard, no crown prosecutor has yet been assigned to the case. I personally have a lawyer because I needed one to deal with some of the paperwork around the estate. Grant of Administration, house title, etc. I try to bug my lawyer as infrequently as possible.

04
ClpX
August 31st, 2011 11:54 PM

One of my friends (nb: he was my friend before he became a lawyer :)) advises at the courthouse. I asked him if he remembered that day when we came to work and what the legal perspective on this kind of thing would be. It sounded like there are a number of ways an individual (you/one of Ailish’s family) could approach the situation with or without criminal charges. That’s all I gleamed, though, so rather than risk accidental misleading, I tried asking in the shortest form possible. :)

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