'Pay attention': Family of struck Montreal 10 year old pleads with motorists to drive safely
The family of a 10-year-old girl who was hit by a car almost two weeks ago is appealing drivers and pedestrians to be more careful on Montreal’s roads.
Kyaa Guinto is still in a coma at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
“She’s slowly come out of the induced coma, she’s moving her hands, she was able to squeeze our hands, and we’re waiting patiently,” said her mother, Stephanie Ledesma.
Last Wednesday, Guinto attempted to cross Saint-Antoine St. near 32nd Ave. in Lachine. She was hit by a driver in a 30 km/h zone, who police say did not appear to be speeding. She sustained a severe brain injury.
“She was on her way home. She’s not supposed to be walking home,” said Ledesma. "She was supposed to be at that time in basketball practice. He was on his way to pick her up,” she added, referencing Guinto’s father.
“She wasn’t at the crosswalk, despite how many times we’ve told her how to cross properly – ‘be careful’ – she didn’t,” she said. “I can’t tell you why she didn’t, she didn’t.”
As they wait for her to recover, Guinto’s family is asking parents to speak to their children about road safety more often.
CTV News visited the site where Guinto was hit Saturday. Despite extra police patrols, drivers were seen speeding, and an officer reported speaking with more than one jaywalker earlier that day.
For parents in the area, it’s a harsh reminder of the risks present every time you leave the house.
“I do worry. I do often tell my children to watch out for the cars, even though it’s your right of way to cross the street,” said parent Wendy Eng.
“Like, there’s that one street where you have that crosswalk, but cars don’t stop,” she said. “I tell my kids: ‘make sure you have eye contact with the drivers to see if they’ll slow down.’”
Guinto’s parents are asking drivers to slow down and to keep their eyes on the road, not their phones – and that goes for pedestrians too.
“Pay attention. Don’t play with your phones while crossing. Be mindful of your surroundings while crossing an intersection,” said Clifford Guinto.
“I just want to hold my daughter. We just want her back,” he added. “I want to hear her voice, I want to see her eyes. I just want my daughter back.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE AT 2:30 2-hour wildfire evacuation notice issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
8 dead, at least 40 injured as farmworkers' bus overturns in central Florida
A bus carrying farmworkers in central Florida overturned on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about 40 other passengers, authorities said.