TORONTO

Toronto

Current Weather 7 Day Forecast

CityNews Snow contest

Friday, February 10, 2012

Ontario's Street Racing Law To Be Put To The Test

11/30/2009  | CityNews.ca Staff

share via email

The province’s street racing legislation faces a test Monday in the pre-sentencing of a man who’s admitted guilt in a crash that killed two women just over two years ago.

Best friends Cynthia Dougherty, 49, and Mariarosa Dalsass, 44, were killed instantly when Dougherty’s Pontiac Grand-Am was struck by another vehicle on Highway 50, in Brampton, on Oct. 6, 2007. Six cars and a truck were involved in the terrible crash.

Dougherty's husband Derek, who was travelling just a few car lengths ahead, witnessed the collision.

Two other drivers in the crash, brothers Steven Machado and Brian Machado, were arrested at the scene and had their vehicles -- an Audi and BMW -- and licenses seized by authorities under the province’s street racing and aggressive driving law.

Steven Machado pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal negligence causing death last July. During pre-sentencing on Monday, the Crown plans to label him as a street racer in the hopes of getting a harsher penalty.

His brother, facing the same charge, goes to trial next year.

The two were allegedly driving 140 km/h in an 80km/h zone when Steven drove on the gravel shoulder to pass a truck and lost control.

The province has recently had to defend its street racing law following two court rulings that stated the legislation violated Charter Rights.

Last week a judge in Newmarket dismissed a street racing charge against an 18-year-old woman caught speeding 50km/h over the posted limit because the law only allows the accused limited grounds for defence.

A judge in Napanee came to the same conclusion about the law last year.

 
Stay Connected with CityNews

Latest news Headlines

Canadian man killed at Florida RV park
2012/02/10 13:33:50
2012/02/10 13:54:03
2 men charged after North Etobicoke shooting
2012/02/10 13:15:02
2012/02/10 13:25:54
Vaughan café shooting suspect still on the loose
2012/02/10 12:24:11
2012/02/10 12:38:44
Air Canada reaches tentative deal with its largest union
2012/02/10 11:38:58
2012/02/10 11:40:05
Traffic
Weather

Facebook
Twitter
[+] show more
[-] show less
Featured Partners Content
Rogers Digital Media