Home / Crime and Justice / Lawsuit: Camera Removal Led to Boy's Severe Injuries
Lawsuit: Camera Removal Led to Boy's Severe Injuries
10 Sep
Summary
- A 15-year-old Toronto boy suffered life-altering injuries after being hit.
- Lawsuit alleges speed camera removal increased danger from speeding cars.
- The family is seeking over $16 million in damages.
A lawsuit filed on behalf of a 15-year-old Toronto boy alleges that the removal of speed cameras was a contributing factor to the severe, life-altering injuries he sustained. The teen was struck in a crosswalk on March 25 near St. Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School, suffering a brain injury, multiple fractures, and vision loss. The crash occurred near an intersection where an automated speed camera had been deactivated months prior.
The lawsuit names the provincial government, the City of Toronto, and the driver. It claims the provincial government knew that removing speed cameras would increase the danger posed by speeding vehicles and alleges a failure to disburse an announced Road Safety Initiatives Fund in a timely manner. Ontario Premier Doug Ford had previously criticized speed cameras as a 'cash grab,' leading to their removal by November.
Data indicated that speeding in some Toronto neighborhoods significantly increased after the cameras were removed, with one area experiencing a 400% rise in drivers exceeding the speed limit by at least 16 km/h. The teen's parents are seeking a total of $16 million in damages, including special, general, and punitive damages.
