Charges laid in crash that killed Girl Guide, injured several others in London, Ont.
London police have laid charges in connection with a crash on Riverside Drive that left an eight-year-old girl dead.
Alexandra Stemp died following the collision on Riverside just west of Wonderland Road on Nov. 30, 2021.
Nine others from the Brownie group (Girl Guides ages seven and eight) were injured, some seriously. The driver was not hurt.
Investigators have said the group of Girl Guides was walking eastbound on the north side of Riverside when a westbound vehicle struck another vehicle, a light standard and a tree before colliding with the group of pedestrians.
London police Const. Sandasha Bough said, "Members of our Traffic Unit had a lengthy and complex investigation into what transpired. While we can’t speak to the outcome of that investigation, we can say all of the details will come out through the court process."
Police announced Friday that 76-year-old Petronella H. McNorgan of London has now been charged with criminal negligence causing death and seven counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
Lawyer Phillip Millar will represent McNorgan and tells CTV News London, "There are intentional acts, then there are accidents, this is definitely an accident."
Millar said his client was driving westbound along Riverside approaching Wonderland and then, "Her brakes didn’t work when she came down the hill. She had them serviced that day. She’s not saying that’s exactly what happened, but the brakes were not working and she was struggling to find a way to stop. She hit a couple cars, a tree and, tragically, some people."
London-based lawyer Richard Braiden is not involved in the case, but explains criminal negligence charges are much more serious than careless or dangerous driving and typically a conviction means jail time.
However, he said the Crown must prove, "Wanton and reckless disregard for the safety of others. So basically it’s a very high level of reckless behaviour. It’s basically at the top of the list for seriousness in these types of matters."
Millar said he intends to mount a vigorous defence and asks the public not to rush to judgement.
"There is often a call for blood and justice in the world when something tragic happens. People are just happy someone is charged without knowing what happened."
None of the allegations have been proven in court. McNorgan is next scheduled to appear in a London court on April 13.
Tire tracks are seen at the scene of the collision in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.