(WATCH: A 19-year-old woman was given a two-month licence suspension and $2,000 for a fatal pedestrian crash on Whyte Ave in January. Shallima Maharaj spoke to the family.)
EDMONTON – The 19-year-old woman charged in a pedestrian crash on Whyte Avenue in January that killed a 27-year-old man was given a two-month licence suspension and $2,000 fine.
Emily Holmes was charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and careless driving.
Witnesses told police a Chevy Cobalt was heading north on 101 Street and made a left-hand turn onto Whyte Avenue. The vehicle then hit a 27-year-old man who was crossing at the avenue at a marked crosswalk.
David Finkelman later died in hospital.
His family was in court Wednesday to deliver victim impact statements.
“I am haunted by his final moments,” his mother Jane Cardillo read aloud.
“The death of our son David has been a nightmare for everyone who loves him,” said his father Steven Finkelman after the decision.
“His death was senseless.
“He was crossing on a green light, it was noon hour, there was little traffic, and the weather was clear. The driver who hit David didn’t see him until it was too late.
“We know it wasn’t intentional but that doesn’t change the fact that our son is dead because a driver wasn’t paying attention.”
Holmes did not speak to the family in court, but did send them an apology letter.
Finkelman’s parents said the sentencing will not bring closure.
“We go regularly to grief therapists and psychologists, and that’s a word we have been banned from using,” said Cardillo. “We won’t have closure. We may learn eventually to live without our son… but for me, anyway, it’s just another step along the journey.”
The family was also asked how they felt about the two-month licence ban and fine.
“I think it’s probably as steep a sentence as they could have given her in the court that she was tried in,” said Cardillo.
“The sentence won’t bring him back. It wouldn’t really have mattered what the sentence was.”
Finkelman’s parents also said they felt for the driver.
“We are not the only ones suffering here. We do feel for the driver and her family. She’s a victim too.”
They also pointed out that many people are killed on Alberta roads each year and said many of those are preventable.
“Each victim leaves behind families and friends who will suffer for the rest of their lives,” said Steve Finkelman.
“We want drivers to think about this before they get behind the wheel… no one should have to go through the kind of hell we’ve lived.”
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