The man accused of crashing his minivan into a group of cyclists in 2009 pled not guilty Tuesday as his trial began in Ottawa.
Sommit Luangpakham is charged with ten counts of failing to stop at the scene of a collision causing bodily harm and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm after the five cyclists were hit July 19, 2009, on March Road.
Tuesday the court heard from three witnesses, with one of the cyclists becoming emotional when she discussed what she remembered about the crash in west Ottawa.
Cathy Anderson said she was riding in a bike lane when she heard a distinct sound and knew her group had been struck by a vehicle.
Anderson said she suffered a head injury, broken elbow and broken pelvis.
All five of the cyclists were hurt, with some suffering life-threatening injuries.
Julie Pegg was driving in the other direction when the crash happened and said the van didn't veer, swerve or brake after the crash.
Both sides in the trial agree that Luangpakham was behind the wheel of the van, but it's up to the 12-member jury to decide if he's guilty.
The trial is expected to last for two weeks.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee
