Ontario driver who killed woman and her three children apologizes for his actions
A driver who struck and killed a woman and her three young daughters in Brampton, Ont., nearly two years ago told an Ontario court he was “deeply tormented” by what he did and apologized for his actions on Monday.
Brady Robertson, 21, said his “defiance of the law” caused the June 18, 2020 crash that killed Karolina Ciasullo and her daughters Klara, Lilianna and Mila, who were between the ages of six and one.
Robertson said while an apology won't change anything for grieving friends and family who have been forever deprived of their loved ones, he wants to take responsibility for his actions.
“I'm sorry for robbing you guys of your life. It should be me, and I will hold that guilt until I die,” he said at his sentencing hearing.
“I wanted to end my life countless times, but that would be a coward way to go. I want to pay for what I did, I want to serve my time ... This family deserves justice.”
Robertson pleaded guilty to four counts of dangerous driving causing death in connection with the crash.
But he pleaded not guilty to four counts of operation while impaired by drugs causing death, and his lawyers filed a constitutional challenge of Canada's law setting out a legal limit for THC blood concentration when driving.
During trial, Ontario Court Justice Sandra Caponecchia found Robertson had a blood THC concentration of 40 nanograms of THC per millilitre of blood about 45 minutes after the crash - eight times the legal limit.
The constitutional challenge was rejected earlier this month, meaning Robertson has been found guilty of impaired driving and sentencing can now proceed on all charges. A ruling is expected May 16.
In sentencing submissions Monday, the Crown argued Robertson should be sentenced to 23 years behind bars, with roughly three years in credit for time spent in custody awaiting trial.
It further argued he should not be eligible for parole for 10 years or half his sentence, whichever comes first, and should face a lifetime driving ban.
“I would submit that this is one of the worst cases of dangerous driving that we see in these courts,” prosecutor Patrick Quilty said in listing what he said were aggravating factors in the case.
Leading up to the collision, Robertson was driving at an “exceptionally high” speed through a residential neighbourhood over a number of kilometres, the prosecutor argued.
When he came to a red light at a busy intersection, Robertson drove through by using the unoccupied left turn lane, he said.
Quilty also noted Robertson's licence was suspended at the time of the crash, and his car wasn't properly registered, nor was it insured.
“Mr. Robertson shouldn't have been driving that car or any car at all ... let alone driving it in the manner that he did,” he said.
The defence, meanwhile, argued the sentence proposed by the Crown is excessive and Robertson should instead be sentenced to seven years.
“This is a heartbreaking situation, no matter what angle you approach it from ... You're confronted with a very difficult task where there has been a tragic loss to the community,” defence lawyer Craig Bottomley told the court.
“But it's an offence committed by a young man with essentially no criminal record ... and (who) has had no advantage in life,” Bottomley said, noting Robertson's life has been “marked by poverty, abuse, abandonment, drug use” from a young age.
“This is clearly a young man who has wrestled with mental health demons and sociological problems his whole life,” he said.
Bottomley stressed Robertson is deeply remorseful.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 25, 2022
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
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.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
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.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.