Motorist gets $800 fine for mistake that killed a boy

Joshua Bates died when a woman pressed the gas pedal by mistake.

LANGLEY, B.C. – A woman who accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and crushed a six-year-old to death has been fined $800 for “inadvertent negligence.”

But prosecutor Winston Sayson explained that is not a price put on the life of Joshua Bates who was killed when the Ford Escort driven by Brenda Alice Reid jumped the curb and accidentally crushed the boy against the wall of a pharmacy at the Walnut Grove Mall.

Reid was convicted of driving without due care and attention contrary to the Motor Vehicle Act for the incident on Aug. 29, 2007.

The evidence established that Reid committed an act of “inadvertent negligence” when she mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal.

At the sentencing hearing, Joshua’s parents and grandmother read “gut-wrenching” victim impact statements.

“In recognition of the low moral-culpability of the negligence (albeit with horrific consequences), the otherwise careful and prudent manner in which the car was driven, prior to the collision, and other mitigating factors, the accused was fined $800.00,” said Sayson through a press release issued by RCMP.

Sayson explained that the fine imposed was to sanction the momentary lapse of attention by Reid.

“It is not a reflection or assessment of the precious life of Joshua Bates,” he said.

The crown and the judge acknowledged there is nothing the court can do that will in any way be proportionate to the loss experienced by the Bates family, he said.

Sayson added outside court that there is no happiness for the crown or for the Bates family, from this guilty verdict.

“The pain and sorrow of the Bates family will be with them for their entire lives. They wish to thank all of the people who gave compassionate support to their grieving family.” Sayson said.

“I hope that this case will remind all drivers to exercise great care when they get behind the wheels of their cars. A small mistake could take someone’s life and cause much devastation.”

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Posted by News Editor on Jan 14 2010. Filed under B.C.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry