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WATCH ABOVE: Mallorie Wild says she was cyber bullied months after an impaired driver struck and injured her, saying the emotional abuse was almost as heartbreaking as her physical injuries. Catherine McDonald has the story.
TORONTO — Mallorie Wild breaks down in tears talking about the night last August when she was hit by a drunk driver while walking down Penetang Street in Barrie.
“I was screaming for help,” the 20-year-old said after being struck by a Honda and then left on the road in a hit-and-run collision.
Wild was left with severe injuries to her right leg. After 17 operations, having spent three to four months in hospital, she is now launching an $11.2 million civil lawsuit against 21-year-old Eric Bravener, the bar in Barrie that allegedly over-served Bravener and Bravener’s mother who owned the car he was driving.
In the months following the hit and run, Wild said she was also subjected to cyberbullying online.
She said she was speaking out against drunk driving and had posted a picture of her disfigured leg on the Internet to make a point, when rude comments were sent to her. One of the comments said her leg looked like “a lampchop”.
John McLeish, the lawyer representing Wild said there is a cyber safety act in Nova Scotia, but no such legislation in Ontario.
Wild said the comments were very hurtful, adding to the physical pain of her injury, and believes there’s a gap in Ontario’s legislation.
“It’s painful to walk, I have a rod in my leg,” Wild said, adding that the emotional harm caused by cyber bullying was also damaging.
The driver will be sentenced in Barrie on Sept. 15 for the criminal charges he pleaded guilty to, including impaired driving causing bodily harm and fail to remain, but the civil case has just started.
The statement of claim was filed in Ontario Superior court last week.
Wild’s lawyer said the $11 million amount covers future loss of income, pain and suffering, and cost of care.
Wild credits her family and friends with supporting her through the past year but knows she has a long road ahead and is pleading with others not to drink and drive.
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