Received a update on this a.b thread from May 14 '05, initially posted by Gags:
Another Cyclist Fatality (in Canada)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/a...543e7/34d9992434fe60c4?hl=en#34d9992434fe60c4
Bicycle Justice post: From aus.bicycle: Another Cyclist Fatality (in Canada)
http://bicyclejustice.blogspot.com/2005/05/from-ausbicycle-another-cyclist.html
Comment left by Duane Forth, Kyles dad: Update, December 15 2005 - The verdict is in!
Leonard Kowalewich has been found guilty of the charge of "operating a motor vehicle without due care and attention" in the collision which took our son's life. We have a conviction but still not the slightest sign of remorse or condolence. Mr. Kowalewich sat virtually without emotion for the entire trial, including during the description of a collision scene so gruesome it caused a veteran police officer to choke up with tears on the witness stand. The court was stunned when Kowalewich, under cross-examination by the Crown Counsel, said he didn't believe he had done anything wrong and would in fact do the same thing again. He could not understand why the bicycle ran into his van. Judge Ernie Quantz sentenced him to a $1500. fine and a six month driving prohibition. This was close to the maximum penalty for this offence.
I did not then, or even still now, grasp the full implication, but Crown Counsel said to us as we were leaving the courthouse that in his judgment His Honour (Judge Quantz) had in effect created a new law that could come to be known as "Kyle's Law". I could be wrong but the gist as I understand it is that since cyclists are so much more vulnerable than drivers, drivers owe them greater consideration than other vehicles and if they deny them their rights the penalties would be stiffer.
Victoria Times Colonist's Kim Westad's report can be read here.
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimes....html?id=d4b94a8d-ce59-4dc1-8dc8-1aabdd6e61d4
That something positive could have come from that trial is a huge surprise and somewhat heartening.
Another Cyclist Fatality (in Canada)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/a...543e7/34d9992434fe60c4?hl=en#34d9992434fe60c4
Bicycle Justice post: From aus.bicycle: Another Cyclist Fatality (in Canada)
http://bicyclejustice.blogspot.com/2005/05/from-ausbicycle-another-cyclist.html
Comment left by Duane Forth, Kyles dad: Update, December 15 2005 - The verdict is in!
Leonard Kowalewich has been found guilty of the charge of "operating a motor vehicle without due care and attention" in the collision which took our son's life. We have a conviction but still not the slightest sign of remorse or condolence. Mr. Kowalewich sat virtually without emotion for the entire trial, including during the description of a collision scene so gruesome it caused a veteran police officer to choke up with tears on the witness stand. The court was stunned when Kowalewich, under cross-examination by the Crown Counsel, said he didn't believe he had done anything wrong and would in fact do the same thing again. He could not understand why the bicycle ran into his van. Judge Ernie Quantz sentenced him to a $1500. fine and a six month driving prohibition. This was close to the maximum penalty for this offence.
I did not then, or even still now, grasp the full implication, but Crown Counsel said to us as we were leaving the courthouse that in his judgment His Honour (Judge Quantz) had in effect created a new law that could come to be known as "Kyle's Law". I could be wrong but the gist as I understand it is that since cyclists are so much more vulnerable than drivers, drivers owe them greater consideration than other vehicles and if they deny them their rights the penalties would be stiffer.
Victoria Times Colonist's Kim Westad's report can be read here.
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimes....html?id=d4b94a8d-ce59-4dc1-8dc8-1aabdd6e61d4
That something positive could have come from that trial is a huge surprise and somewhat heartening.