Verdict at 2019 Westboro bus crash trial expected Sept. 22
The verdict at the trial for the Ottawa bus driver charged in the January 2019 fatal crash at the Westboro station will be handed down in two months.
Aissatou Diallo’s lawyer Soloman Friedman told CTV News Ottawa on Monday that the judge will deliver the verdict on Sept. 22 at 9:15 a.m.
Diallo, 44, was charged in August 2019 with three counts of dangerous driving causing death, and 35 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
Diallo pleaded not guilty.
Three people were killed and 23 others were injured when an OC Transpo double-decker bus struck an overhang at the Westboro Station at 3:50 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2019.
Friedman told the court during closing arguments in June that what happened at the station was a tragic accident that could have happened to anyone. The defence said Diallo was misled by lane markings on the road left over from construction, which they say explains why she veered to the right before the bus crashes into snowbanks, a rockface and then the shelter.
"Factors far beyond her control conspired together and they lead to a tragic result," Friedman told court. "In our law, tragic results are not automatically punished by criminal liability."
The Crown said Diallo never braked or steered away.
Closing arguments wrapped up on June 2. The judge announced on Monday when a verdict will be delivered.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Katie Griffin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.