Teen found guilty after deadly crash on Ring Road

A teenager has been found guilty in relation to a deadly crash on the Ring Road two years ago.

One man died and five others were injured after two vehicles hit head-on near the McDonald Street exit in March 2015.

The teen is now 18-years-old but cannot be named since he was 16 at the time. 

Crown prosecutor Ryan Snyder explained how court heard the teen showed a marked departure from the standard of care when he took the key out of his ignition while driving at highway speed.

The 18-year-old was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death, in addition to two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

“It took about three-and-a-half-hours for the court to render its decision,” said Snyder.

Defence lawyer Sharon Fox said Judge Leslie Halliday also acquitted the teen on three charges of criminal negligence, one count of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Fox said they presented evidence which they believed indicated a malfunction in the vehicle which is what ultimately led to the crash occurring. The judge disagreed.

Saeed Warriach was killed in that crash. Friends remembered him as a father to twin boys, as a husband and as a brother to seven sisters. 

“This is a tragic, tragic event for everyone involved. Not only the gentleman who lost his life and the parties who were injured,” said Fox. “This is certainly a life changing event for my client and certainly there is a sense of relief that this is finally coming to conclusion. There will be some serious consequences.”

The matter was adjourned as a pre-sentence report is prepared. Sentencing will happen at a later date.