Crown says Diallo didn't brake or have control of bus during closing arguments at Westboro bus crash trial
During closing arguments at the Westboro bus crash trial Tuesday, the Crown said driver Aissatou Diallo was speeding, didn't have control of the bus and wasn't paying attention when it crashed in January 2019.
Crown attorney Dallas Mack telling the judge Diallo, who was behind the wheel, "operated that bus, in short, in a markedly different manner than a multitude of other operators that navigated Westboro Station that day and she failed to react in any meaningful way once the danger was perceived by her when she exclaimed 'Oh, my God.'"
"No brakes are applied, no evasive steering is done," Mack said. "Instead what happens is she applies the throttle for two seconds while off-road."
Judy Booth, Bruce Thomlinson and Anja Van Beek were killed in the crash. Diallo has pleaded not guilty to three counts of dangerous driving causing death and 35 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
Court heard there was no medical emergency and nothing was mechanically wrong with the bus. The defence said sun glare was a big factor.
On Monday, the Crown showed videos from Diallo's bus that day. They say it shows the sun was shining throughout her route and that Diallo was able to navigate around a truck that had been parked in a bus lane and stop for a red light despite the sun making it hard to see what colour it was.
"If it really is as blinding for her…driving at 67 km/h into a 50 zone approaching Westboro station is dangerous," Mack said.
The defence argued Diallo's training wasn't adequate and that lines from previous construction were confusing.
Mack told the judge "the notion that she sees this construction line and is veering right is inconsistent with where she actually ends up…her movement to the right starts well before that line."
Questions were also raised about whether Diallo was distracted before the crash. The Crown alleges grainy footage shows Diallo pulling a headphone out of her ear after the crash with the phone in her hand as she rushes to the top floor.
As for whether it contributed to the crash, Mack said "…this may be an explanation, an explanation that Mr. Lamoureux, the defence expert even agrees that wearing an earbud would be a distraction and is contrary to OC Transpo policy."
Diallo did not testify at trial. Her lawyers will present their closing arguments on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.