Motorist guilty of dangerous driving

Calgary mom Cinzia Marson had ample warning to stop before she flew into a highway intersection, side-swiping and killing another motorist, a judge ruled Friday in convicting her of dangerous driving causing death.

Justice Beth Hughes said Marson’s conduct was a marked departure from what would be expected from a reasonable driver.

Hughes rejected a suggestion by defence lawyer Alain Hepner the deadly crash was a result of a momentary lapse of attention on the part of Marson.

Hepner argued information from the crash data recorder in her car showed she took her foot off the brake and began to accelerate 2.5 seconds before the collision, suggesting that was the period of time Marson wasn’t paying attention. But Hughes disagreed. “There was no evidence the momentary inattention began 2.5 seconds before the collision,” she said.

The Court of Queen’s Bench judge noted there were 10 road markers, including five rumble strips and an oversized stop sign, indicating Marson had to bring her Lincoln SUV to a halt.

Instead, she T-boned the Hyundai Elantra being driven by former U.K. soldier Christopher Pollitt as he drove eastbound on Hwy. 72, at the intersection of Hwy. 791, northeast of Calgary.

Pollitt, who did two tours of Afghanistan and also worked as a policeman in his homeland, moved to Canada to be with his girlfriend, Meagan Rodi. He was working a security job with the hope of eventually becoming a member of the Calgary Police Service.

In a written statement on behalf of Rodi and Pollitt’s mother, Hilary, and sister, Katie, the family said they were happy with the outcome, but suggested Marson laughing outside court indicated a lack of remorse. Marson will face a sentencing hearing in September.