Trial begins for driver accused of killing mom and two children in horrific 2018 car crash
As a trial begins for a man accused in a horrific car crash that killed a 12-year-old girl, as well as her seven-year-old friend and his mother, in Brampton, Ont. three years ago, a relative says she hopes no one forgets them.
Salvina Greco issued a tearful plea for safety on the road on Tuesday, saying she and her family are forever changed after her niece Julia Riccobene, Miles Jones and Miles’ mom Allison Jones were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 50 in 2018.
“You know how some teenagers hide their smiles? She smiled all the time. She loved her friends. There was always a commotion in the household. She was a joy. She was the light of the home. Now that light is gone. It’s a tremendous loss to our family,” said Greco.
The trial began on Tuesday, what would have been Miles’ 11th birthday, she said.
“Please be careful when you drive. These two children lost their lives. They won’t be able to grow up. Allison’s gone. Just be careful because you don’t know what can happen and what life you can take away,” Greco said.
Compounding the tragedy for Greco’s family is that Julia's father Angelo has since died of COVID-19, she said.
Julia Ricobenne and Miles Jones are seen in this undated photograph
Accused Paul Manzon has pleaded not guilty to eight charges in connection with the fatal crash, including three counts of dangerous driving causing death, three counts of criminal negligence causing death, and one count each of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
A police interview played in court laid out the accusations against Manzon, with the investigating officer telling him his blue Corvette was seen travelling at a high rate of speed northbound on Highway 50 from Highway 427.
Jones’ SUV turned left at the intersection and was hit by the Corvette, the officer said. But downloadable data within the Corvette showed it was travelling so fast there was no way Jones could have expected the car to collide with her, the officer told Manzon in the recording.
“You’re taking the easy road,” the officer is heard saying. “The hard road is to sit in that chair and say, ‘God damn I wish it had never happened.’ The easy road is to say, ‘My lawyer told me not to say anything.’”
“If that’s the way you look at it, that’s the way it is. I’m not apologizing,” responds Manzon. “I’m done answering questions.”
A memorial still stands at the site of the crash, with flowers, teddy bears, and three pictures of the deceased.
A memorial in honour of Julia Riccobene, Miles Jones and Allison Jones is seen along the roadway where they were fatally struck by a vehicle. (Jon Woodward/CTV News Toronto)
Julia loved soccer, dance and figure skating, Greco said. Miles was learning Taekwondo, and loved to bake with his mom and sister, she added.
“This was a Saturday evening on a long weekend in the summer. It could have been anybody. It could have been any family on the street. But it was my family and the Jones family,” Greco said.
“Our families are affected for our whole lives. How do you go on when you lose someone like that? You don’t,” she said.
“We want justice. We want the public to know there are consequences when you drive like you’re on a racetrack. There are families on that road."
A publication ban that had barred media from reporting the names of those killed in the crash, as well as those injured in the crash, was vacated by Justice Nancy Dennison on Wednesday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.