Police allege a corporate structure failed to protect a site in Barrie, Ontario, where six young men died in a twist of fate in August.
“This is a very large and complex investigation,” Barrie Police Service communications coordinator Peter Leon said Friday. “This is probably one of the most important surveys that have been done lately. “
Barrie police charged Con-Drain with six counts of negligence for thief who caused death after the victims’ car sank into a deep hole in a municipal structure on a country road.
Court documents received via CTV News imply that Con-Drain singled out and nicely blocked the McKay Road transient closure between County Road 27 and Veterans Drive, according to the traffic control plan.
The document says the lack of protection measures the deaths of Curtis King, 22, River Wells, 21, Jason Ono-O’Connor, 23, Luke West, 22, Jersey Mitchell, 20 and Haley Marin, 21.
CTV News Barrie contacted the company on Friday and got a single notice that it cannot comment “as the matter will now be before the courts. “
In an interview with CTV News Barrie, CTV public protection analyst and former Ontario provincial police commissioner Chris Lewis said the seriousness of the fees is significant.
“Overall, it’s one of the most serious crimes in Canada’s Criminal Code. For a person, this can mean life imprisonment as the maximum penalty, which shows the seriousness of it. “
Leon noted that while an official from the Con-Drain organization served Thursday, the company is accused, not a single person.
“This is a set of cases where a company is held responsible for the paintings that have been done.
It’s not rare, but it’s unique. In fact, this is probably one of the first times in recent years that a company that is not an individual is held accountable,” he said.
Lewis said that if the structure domain doesn’t show up well or gets blocked, it’s evidence that would be used in the case.
“Let’s be honest, six other young people lost their lives in this case, and the accusation is that the company has done more to protect them. “
Researchers at the site of a fatal twist of fate on a structure along McKay Road in Barrie, Ontario. Wednesday, August 31, 2022. (CTV News)
The protection analyst highlighted the need for legislative adjustments around risk protection at structural sites.
“Especially on roads where people, driving at county speeds, [are] very, very dangerous,” he said.
The former OPP commissioner also highlighted the likelihood of civil litigation.
“I would be surprised if it didn’t take place here,” he said. If there is a conviction for an offender, it will lead to very strong evidence in favor of those who can sue the company that would be guilty in this case. “case. “
However, the Crown must prove that the employer has committed recklessness in his movements or absences and refute any other possible cause of the accident by the driver and those who are in the vehicle.
Con-Drain is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 13.
The allegations opposing Con-Drain Group have been proven in court.