Family of the late Marc Lafontaine and Alyssa Smulders make a statement on the steps of the Chatham-Kent court house May 5, 2016. (Photo by Simon Crouch) Family of the late Marc Lafontaine and Alyssa Smulders make a statement on the steps of the Chatham-Kent court house May 5, 2016. (Photo by Simon Crouch)
London

Fatal Crash Leads To Fine And Probation

The family of two Windsor residents who were killed when a transport truck slammed into their car on Hwy. 401 don't believe they got justice even though 56-year-old Leszek Urbaniak received the maximum sentence.

The London truck driver pleaded guilty to careless driving and was fined $2,000 and sentenced to two years probation, a two year commercial driving ban, and a one year ban on driving a personal vehicle.

The May 10, 2014 crash killed 35-year-old Marc Lafontaine and his niece, 13-year-old Alyssa Smulders. They were travelling through Chatham-Kent when the collision happened near Mull Rd.

Ashleah Smulders, Alyssa's aunt, read from a prepared family statement after the sentencing.

"While it was found that he had alcohol in his system, the investigation found it was below the legal limit to drive. I believe because of the delay in testing, this result was most likely inaccurate," she says. Smulders noted that Urbaniak had been driving for at least an hour at the time of the crash.

"Our family is incredibly disappointed with the justice system. At the very least we are hoping that more median barriers are implemented along the 401 to prevent more tragedies like this from happening," she says. "We are truly moved and thankful for all the support from our family, friends, community, and the officers that were here his entire time for us and we hope the justice system will work towards making our roads a safer place."

Smulders says professional drivers should be held to higher standards and, in her opinion, any level of alcohol should not be permitted.

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