“Driving is a privilege, not a right.” Those were the words of Justice Nancy Dennison before sentencing Caledon, Ont., man Paul Manzon to six years in prison followed by a seven-year driving prohibition after he was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 47-year-old Allison Jones of Vaughan, her seven-year-old son Miles Jones and 12-year-old Julia Riccobene.
Manzon was also sentenced to three years in prison to be served concurrently after being found guilty of two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm in relation to Jones’ daughter who was injured, and the passenger in Manzon’s vehicle.
It was Aug. 4, 2018 when Jones was driving home from a pool party southbound along Highway 50, about to turn left onto Nashville Road when Manzon’s northbound Corvette struck Jones’ Kia. Just five seconds prior to the collision, Manzon was travelling at 163 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. Manzon was driving home from a car show with a woman he had taken on a date.
At trial, witnesses testified that Manzon’s blue sportscar appeared out of nowhere.
“The evening turned tragic because of Mr. Manzon’s decision to speed at more than twice the speed limit,” Dennison told the packed courtroom.
Dennison considered the fact that Manzon, 49, had a criminal record for possession of narcotics dating back to 1991 for which he received 18 months probation and two impaired driving convictions from 1993 and 2012 for which he received fines.
She also recognized that he is the primary caregiver for his elderly father, with whom he lives, and is actively involved in fundraising for the Hospital for Sick Children. The judge noted Manzon has shown remorse, saying there are times he stated he wished he had died.
Crown prosecutors had been asking for a 10 to 12-year prison term and a five-year driving ban. The defence argued for a four-year sentence and a 10-year driving prohibition.
“There is no basis to justify a sentence of 10 to 12 years as proposed by Crown counsel,” Dennison said. “The maximum sentence (at the time of the offence) was 14 years. There is no evidence that Mr. Manzon was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision, nor does Mr. Manzon have a record for Highway Traffic Act offences such as speeding.”
But Dennison pointed out that the number of victims amplifies the gravity of the offence.
“Any loss of life caused by a driver driving in a dangerous manner is tragic. The loss caused by Mr. Manzon is extraordinary. He destroyed two families,” said Dennison, noting that Manzon made a deliberate choice to drive at more than twice the speed limit.
Manzon, who has been out on bail for more than four years, was taken into custody immediately following the sentence.
Michael Jones, who lost his wife Allison and son Miles in the crash, was stoic outside court speaking about the devastation Manzon has caused.
“They were beautiful souls. Beautiful people. We had a great life. We have great memories and that’s what I have for myself and for Lily going forward,” said Jones referring to his surviving child who survived the crash, escaping with a broken collar bone.
Jones who was driving in front of his wife’s car at the time of the collision and witnessed the fatal collision said no sentence will seem like justice.
“If he gets a hundred thousand years, it doesn’t change anything. We have to live with it every day,” Jones said saying he is thankful his daughter is alive.
Lily, who was 12 at the time of the crash, clutched her father’s arm as she spoke about the nightmare that the family has been through in the four years since her mother and brother were killed.
“It almost feels somewhat of a relief considering that we’ve got the tiniest bit of justice that we’ve all needed to see, and let alone hear,” Lily said explaining that she will never be able to move on.
Julia Riccobene’s mother Mary Riccobene choked back tears as she spoke about losing her daughter due to Manzon’s actions that night.
“It was his choice to speed but he’s the one who decided to do that, and for that, Jules, Miles and Allison lost their lives. Our lives were destroyed, absolutely destroyed,” she said.
Riccobene also lost her husband, Julia’s father, in 2021 due to COVID-19 and said it has been an extremely painful few years.
“It doesn’t get any better as time goes on. It just gets worse and worse because you miss them more and more.” Riccobene said she’s at peace knowing her husband is now with Julia.
“At least he’s taking care of my little girl now too.”