Vehicle involved in death of 8 year old was in for maintenance day of crash
A London, Ont. jury heard testimony Friday that the vehicle that struck and killed an 8-year-old girl had its braking system checked just hours before the crash.
On the morning of Nov. 30, 2021, the Honda CRV underwent scheduled maintenance at the dealership.
Automotive technician Andrew Riddolls testified that he completed the check-up, “There was a brake system assessment.”
He concluded that it was not an issue.
He added, “If anything goes wrong during the test drive, it would be brought back into the bay.”
Later that same day, the Honda travelled at a high rate of speed through the intersection of Riverside Drive and Wonderland Road in west London before striking a Girl Guide troop out on a field trip.
Court exhibit photos showing damage done to the intersection of Riverside Drive and Wonderland Road following a fatal collision on Nov. 30, 2021 were shown to the jury on March 22, 2024. (Source: London Courthouse)
An 8-year-old girl later died, and seven others were injured in the crash.
London police charged Petronella McNorgan, 78, with one count of criminal negligence causing death and seven counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Back in the courtroom, the Crown called an automotive technician from Honda Canada who inspected the vehicle after the crash.
Court exhibit photos showing the interior of a vehicle involved in a fatal collision of an 8-year-old girl on Nov. 30, 2021 were shown to the jury on March 22, 2024. (Source: London Courthouse)
Joseph Ruggieri testified that he examined the vehicle along with police officers and Transport Canada.
He told the jury, “Based upon the inspection, both the brakes and throttle are operating properly.” He concluded, “The event appears to be caused by driver error.”
A ban on publication has been placed on identifying any of the young victims in this case.
The trial resumes on Monday.
Court exhibit photos showing the interior of a vehicle involved in a fatal collision of an 8-year-old girl on Nov. 30, 2021 were shown to the jury on March 22, 2024. (Source: London Courthouse)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.
RCMP recovered 115 out of 205 lost firearms, 2 machine guns still missing
More than half of the 205 firearms lost by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 2020 have been recovered, but two machine guns remain missing.
Economic experts call it 'terrible policy,' but most Canadians support expansion of Old Age Security benefits: Nanos survey
Amid new polling indicating most Canadians support boosting Old Age Security benefits by 10 per cent for seniors aged 65 to 74, a former Liberal finance minister and former Bank of Canada governor are warning the government not to pursue the policy change.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
WestJet ordered to reimburse B.C. passenger for hotel, despite claim bill was 'excessive'
WestJet failed to convince a B.C. tribunal that a woman whose flight was delayed for three days spent an "excessive" amount on a hotel room, and the airline has been ordered to pay her full bill.