Man gets 6 months in jail after hitting horse-drawn buggy

On May 1, a 36-year-old man pleaded guilty in connection with an accident that injured three men and killed a horse. The Ontario Court of Justice sentenced the man to six months in jail and one year of probation for the charges. As a result of the probation, the man’s DNA was put on record, he may not sit in the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle and he must undergo councelling.

The car accident happened on May 11, 2013, in Dundalk. An Acura ELS was heading north on Proton Street when the vehicle entered the southbound lane of traffic. The car collided head-on with a horse-drawn carriage near Owen Sound Street at about 7 p.m., according to Grey County Ontario Provincial Police.

The 24-year-old driver of the buggy and a 36-year-old passenger in the Acura received treatment at a Markdale hospital and were released. The 39-year-old passenger in the buggy was transported to a Markdale hospital and then airlifted to a London hospital with life-altering injuries. The horse died in the accident. The Acura driver was charged with one count of failing to stay at an accident scene and two counts each of dangerous driving causing injury and DUI causing injury. Only the two counts of DUI causing injury were not withdrawn.

The injured buggy occupants and the Acura passenger could file personal injury claims against the Acura driver if they choose to do so. If they are awarded compensation, it could pay for lost benefits and income, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Any other out-of-pocket expenses related to their injuries might also be reimbursed.

Source: Owen Sound Sun Times, “Man jailed after hitting buggy head-on“, Scott Dunn, May 06, 2014