Quebec driver sentenced to 8 months after swerving to avoid ducks caused fatal collision
A Quebec driver who caused the death of another motorist when he swerved his truck to avoid hitting a family of ducks on the road has been sentenced to eight months in jail and a three-year driving ban.
Éric Rondeau, 48, must also pay a $1,000 fine as part of his sentencing after a jury found him guilty of dangerous driving causing death on Jan. 26.
Félix-Antoine Gagné, 19, was killed when his motorcycle collided with Rondeau's truck on July 23, 2019 in Sainte-Élizabeth, Que., about 80 kilometres north of Montreal. The court heard that Rondeau stopped his Ford F-150, which was towing a trailer, while he was travelling south on Route 345 after spotting the family of ducks crossing the road.
When the ducks stopped in the middle of a curve in the road, Rondeau's entire vehicle and trailer crossed the double yellow line to get around them. When he saw a motorcycle in the oncoming lane approach, he attempted to swerve out of the way back to the right lane, but Gagné crashed into the truck.
At the time of the collision, Rondeau was travelling at about 18 km/h. The 19-year-old was travelling between 90 km/h and 100 km/h in a 70 km/h zone. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim's mother, Lynda Gagné, told the court about the "cruel" absence in her life following the death of her son.
"Clearly, no amount of punishment can replace this loss, nor erase these wounds," wrote Superior Court Justice Marc-André Blanchard in his sentencing judgment.
The collision was the result of a "dangerous manoeuvre with extraordinary recklessness" rather than an intentional act, according to the ruling.
Nevertheless, Blanchard said the fatal collision was "a heartbreaking tragedy for [the victim's] family and even for society as a whole."
The judge agreed with the Crown's request for an eight-month jail sentence, but ruled a five-year driving ban was too long. The defence had asked for a six-month suspended sentence.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.