Many of us are familiar with the story of the Canadian Woman who parked her car on a highway to help a group of ducklings on the side of the road - which ended in the deaths of two people.
25-year old, Emma Czornobaj, a self-professed animal lover, had stopped her vehicle in the left
lane of a provincial highway South of Montreal in 2010 - which claimed the lives of Andre Roy, 50 and his daughter Jessie, 16 - Roy's motorcycle slammed into the vehicle.
Czornobaj was convicted (found guilty) by a jury on Friday of the deaths of the motorcyclist and his daughter - the charges were two counts of criminal negligence causing death - which could lead to a maximum life sentence.
The young woman wiped away her tears when the verdict was given to a packed Montreal Courtroom. Quebec Superior Court Justice Elaine Perreault said the 12-member jury voted unanimously.
Czornojaj was released until her pre-sentence hearing on Aug. 8th, 2014
Defense Lawyer Marc Labelle said his client was stunned by the jury's decision.
"The fact that was was involved int he accident in the first place was a hard experience for her" he said. "the fact that she had to go through a trial with a lot of publicity was tough and to be confirmed by 12 citizens, the jury, that the conduct was criminal is a hard blow."
Pauline Volikakis, whose daughter and husband were killed in the collision, briefly fought back tears when she left the courtroom.
"I don't wish misfortune on anyone," Volikakis said. "It's time that we go on. This will not bring (back) my loved ones."
Annie-Claude Chasse, Prosecutor, had this message for motorists.
"What we hope is that a clear message is sent to society that we do not stop on the highway for animals. It's not worth it."
What Do You Think of this Article? What is Your Opinion?
When it comes to stories such as this - do you believe the message that Prosecutor, Annie-Claude Chasse stated? Should motorists NOT STOP for animals, is their lives not worth it?
Many state that the Victim who was driving the motorcycle should have been more aware of the road, seeing the stopped vehicle... Others say that if this was a human child on the highway, would more people have stopped or done the same thing this young woman did?
Clearly it was the responsibility of the motorcyclist to be a safer driver. He risked has own life, and the life of his daughter, by breaking the speed limit, and he (and his daughter) paid the ultimate price for his very bad decision making. Emma was simply doing the right thing. Our justice system sucks bad. Don't stop for animals? That statement is inhumane and makes me very mad.
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