Court upholds conviction in Ogden Point injury case
The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld Eric Gosse’s conviction for dangerous driving causing bodily harm to a motorcyclist at Ogden Point.
Four years ago, Gosse struck and critically injured former Saanich police officer Ron Broda, who was riding his motorcycle.
In October 2016, Gosse was sentenced to 60 days in jail and prohibited from driving for five years. He immediately appealed the conviction.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the appeal. Gosse is now serving his sentence.
Broda, who was sitting in court Monday, said the appeal court decision was a relief. “I expected the appeal to be dismissed. But finally, what should have happened, has happened.”
Broda’s motorcycle was struck by Gosse’s sport utility vehicle on July 24, 2013, as the motorcycle went around a speed bump on the roadway at Ogden Point. Broda suffered serious injuries and his lower left leg was amputated.
After a 10-day trial, the judge found Gosse’s driving was aggressive, dangerous and deserved criminal punishment. The SUV was travelling at a minimum speed of 50 kilometres an hour, well beyond the posted speed of 30 km/h. Gosse failed to slow or brake for the motorcycle.
Gosse, a 59-year-old pilot-boat operator, did not take the stand during the trial. Broda was not called as a witness because he has no memory of what happened that day. Broda, who works part time as a Canada Border Services officer, was on his way to the cruise ship terminal at Ogden Point from his home in Central Saanich that morning.
Gosse had no prior criminal history. He has been a mariner for more than 20 years with the Pacific Pilotage Authority.
The judge found Gosse’s driving history, which includes a speeding conviction in February 2013, a few months before the crash, to be an aggravating factor.