'Speed was clearly a factor': Constable called as witness for woman’s trial in roadside death of Girl Guide

The jury at the trial of an elderly woman charged in the crash that killed a young girl was told the accused might have mistaken the gas pedal for the brakes on the night in question.

The jury at the trial of an elderly woman charged in the crash that killed a young girl was told the accused might have mistaken the gas pedal for the brakes on the night in question.

London police Const. Jared Park was called out after members of a Girl Guide troop walking along Riverside Drive near Wonderland Road were struck by a Honda CRV, which jumped the curb and crashed into them.

Park, who is qualified in collision reconstruction, said eight officers were on the scene on Nov. 30, 2021.

When he looked at the Honda, Park said, “I observed oil leaking from the engine. I didn’t see any brake fluid leaking.”

Park showed the jury a photo of the brake fluid reservoir, which was near the top.

When asked what he thought caused the crash, the officer offered his preliminary findings, “The collision was a result of pedal misapplication by the driver.”

He continued, “The driver was intending to press the brake pedal but was depressing the gas pedal.”