Sentencing hearing for impaired driver who killed 8-year-old girl
It was an emotional day in a London, Ont. courtroom as the family of eight-year-old Nihal Toor, who was killed by an impaired driver in 2020, described how their lives have been tragically altered forever.
“We miss her everyday,” said Maya Toor, Nihal’s older sister. “It’s just horrible.”
In his victim impact statement, Nihal’s father Sukhwinder Singh told the sentencing hearing how his life will never be the same.
“From the moment she passed, I’ve forgotten how to live, I’m numb to all experiences,” said Singh, “She was the best of all our children rolled into one.”
While sobbing, Nihal’s mother Baljinder Toor told the court, “I lost my daughter and my future all in one night — this could have been avoided.”
Nihal and her family were visiting relatives in London from Virginia in July 2020 when the car she was in was struck near the intersection of Egremont Drive and Hickory Drive in Strathroy, Ont.
She later died in hospital.
Police quickly arrested Alicia Van Bree, 35, and last August she pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm in connection with injuries to another relative.
When Van Bree addressed the court during her sentencing hearing she was remorseful and said, “The magnitude of what I’ve done is with me every moment of everyday...I’m wondering if she [Nihal] hears my prayers and if I could be forgiven.”
Before the proceedings ended, Nihal’s father did offer forgiveness to her.
The Crown asked Justice Maria Carroccia that Van Bree be sentenced to eight years in prison while the defence requested a sentence of two to three years.
The matter has now been put over to Nov. 25 when a date for sentencing will be selected.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.