Driver Charged After Child Struck by Minivan in Burlington

Published April 16, 2018 at 12:07 pm

A minivan driver is facing a careless driving charge after an 11-year-old cyclist was struck in Burlington.

The collision took place on March 17 around 7 p.m.

A minivan driver is facing a careless driving charge after an 11-year-old cyclist was struck in Burlington.

The collision took place on March 17 around 7 p.m.

The girl was riding east on Dundas St., near Sutton Dr., when she was hit from behind by an eastbound minivan, say Halton police.

The victim remains in serious but stable condition, investigators say.

Dominique Denver is being charged under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).

The province is amending the HTA to introduce tougher penalties for careless driving causing death or bodily harm.

Drivers could face fines between $2,000 and $50,000, up to two years in jail plus six demerit points, and a licence suspension of up to five years.

Legislation to protect cyclists and pedestrians was introduced at Queen’s Park last fall.

The new offence for careless driving causing death or bodily harm “is not yet in effect,” Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Bob Nichols told inhalton.com on April 16.

“This new offence, along with the other changes to the Highway Traffic Act made by this new Act, will come into force in phases” and are anticipated to be proclaimed over the next 12 to 18 months, Nichols added.

“This will allow enough time” for needed Information & Information Technology (I&IT) systems changes “to be implemented and for police services to make the necessary operational changes.”

More details will be provided in the coming months regarding the specific effective dates for this new offence, he said.

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