Windsor man sentenced to house arrest in fatal hit-and-run of 7-year-old boy
A Windsor man who hit a child with his vehicle, left the scene, and attempted to cover up his involvement in the incident was sentenced to a 12 month conditional sentence of house arrest in Provincial Court Tuesday morning.
According to an agreed upon statement of facts, Christopher Filiault was driving his vehicle on Nov. 15, 2020 when he struck Kuothhorko (Kuzi) James, a 7-year-old Windsor boy, around 8:45 p.m. James was transported to hospital but died of his injuries.
Filiault left the scene at Jefferson Boulevard at Haig Avenue without stopping to assist and later attempted to have repairs done to his vehicle to hide his involvement in the incident.
Filiault previously pleaded guilty to failing to remain and obstruction of justice earlier in 2022. Twenty-one months after the incident took place, Filiault was sentenced Tuesday by Justice Sharon Murphy, who in her decision said the 12 month conditional sentence sends the appropriate message to the community that this behaviour is not tolerated.
“I am not sentencing him for causing Kuzi’s death, but rather failing to stop and actively avoiding responsibility,” said Justice Murphy in her sentencing reasons.
Justice Murphy said Filiault’s remorse for the incident, his empathy and verbal apology to the family, guilty plea and medical condition are mitigating factors in her decision.
Filiault will be fitted for a GPS monitoring device and will also lose driving privileges for a period of three years.
Justice Murphy also indicated that should Filiault breach any conditions laid out in court, “he stands a good likelihood of serving the remaining balance in custodial facility.”
Kuothhorko James’ parents, family and friends were in court today for the sentencing decision, some actively scoffing at the decision, saying “That’s what the life of a child is worth? Disgusting” as they walked out of the courtroom.
James Riek, Kuothhorko’s father, declined to comment after court adjourned, saying only that “no justice was served… he killed our son and got away with it.”
A vigil is held at the scene where a child was the victim in a fatal hit-and-run crash at Jefferson Boulevard and Haig Avenue in Windsor. Friday, November 20, 2020. (Ricardo Veneza/CTV Windsor).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.