A Canadian woman who stopped for a group of ducks on the highway and caused the accidental death of two motorcycle riders was convicted in late June and faces up to life in prison when sentenced in August.
Emma Czornobaj, 25, was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death,
USA Today reported. In 2010, she parked her car on a Montreal-area highway to help a few ducklings when Andre Roy, 50, and his 16-year-old daughter, Jessie, crashed into her car while going over 70 mph on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
"The fact that she was involved in the accident in the first place was a hard experience for her," said Czornobaj's defense lawyer Marc Labelle. "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."
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The wife and mother of the victims, Pauline Volikakis, fought back tears as she left the courtroom, The Associated Press
reported via The Huffington Post.
"It's time that we go on. This will not bring [back] my loved ones," she said. "I don't wish misfortune on anyone."
Prosecutor Annie-Claude Chasse told reporters that the conviction should be a warning to other 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."
Czornobaj's two counts of criminal negligence causing death carry a maximum life sentence and her two counts of dangerous driving causing death carry a maximum of 14 years in jail.
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