CALGARY – Family and friends of a young man killed in a New Year’s Day crash have joined together to launch an awareness campaign about the dangers of drunk driving.
Ramil ‘Francis’ Pesa died last month after his car was hit by a Dodge Ram that crossed the centre line on Metis Trail between 80th Avenue and Country Hills Boulevard.
The driver who hit Pesa’s vehicle, Kulwinder Singh Chohan, has been charged with impaired driving, impaired driving over 0.08 and impaired driving causing injury.
On Wednesday, a small group gathered at the Calgary Courts Centre to hold a peaceful demonstration, as the accused prepared to enter his plea.
“The community is affected by drunk driving, we’ve been having this problem for many years,” explains Marichu Antonio with the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary. “A lot of Francis’ friends, the youth, we met last night. And it has been affecting them greatly.”
Antonio says their public education campaign will focus on the impact of impaired driving
“We hope that there will be stiffer penalties for drunk drivers,” adds Antonio. “I just want justice for victims of drunk drivers.”
Chohan has not yet entered his plea, and impaired driving accusations haven’t been proven in court.
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