MONTREAL- Police say that charges could be laid against the driver of the bus that killed 67-year-old Sayam Srey Sunday evening.
“Is it an accident, is there a purpose, is there a mistake in this case? That’s what the investigators are trying to clarify right now,” said Simon Delorme, Montreal Police spokesperson.
Originally witnesses told police that Sayam died at the intersection of St-Vallier and Rosemont after darting from between two cars. But new evidence seen by police- possibly video- indicates the victim was in the crosswalk when the bus hit her, walking with a green light.
“Now the question is: what is the exact cause?” Delorme said.
The accident has raised awareness about an intersection residents say is dangerous.
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“There’s no light that tells the pedestrian: okay, it’s safe to cross right now,” said Doug Beeson, a commuter who uses the intersection.
The Srey family is still in shock over the loss of their loved one.
“We came here from Cambodia, escaping so many dangerous things,” Sayam’s emotional brother Penh Srey told Global News.
“War, land mines, 20 years in the Killing Fields, so it’s very disappointing for me to see her pass away like she did, just crossing the street.”
On Sunday, the 67-year-old woman was walking back from a depanneur at the corner of Rosmont Blvd. and St-Vallier Street, when she was hit by a city bus. She suffered injuries to the head and later died in hospital.
The bus was driving out of a complicated roundabout connected to the metro station when Sayam was struck.
Sayam’s sister-in-law Jennifer believes the city should step in and install a safer system.
“I’m concerned because there’s no signal for pedestrians versus the buses,” she said. “It seems as though there was some sort of conflict with who had the right of way. They both had a green light but she was in the cross walk.”
Meanwhile, the victim’s brother and family are just trying to get through each day while making funeral preparations for their sister.
“For me it’s very hard. It hurts, I just can’t stop thinking about it.”
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