Family feels justice denied in racing death
Paul Robson can’t help but feel that if his daughter had been a dog, the drivers involved in her death would be dealt with more harshly by the courts.
Robson, whose daughter Katie died April 4, 2014, in a two-vehicle crash on Lauzon Road, spoke to reporters after a sentencing hearing for Kyle Matthew Colthurst.
Colthurst, 32, was convicted in May of two counts of dangerous driving for the crash that killed Katie and severely injured her friend, Leah Garrod.
Both the Crown and defence are asking Superior Court Justice Scott Campbell to spare Colthurst jail.
Assistant Crown attorney Tim Kavanagh and defence lawyer Brian Dube have asked for a fine and probation.
“Nothing will bring Katie back but … it’s ridiculous,” Robson said. People who abuse animals get two years in jail, he said, referring to the 2016 Windsor case of Justice the dog found bound with tape and left to die.
Colthurst was driving a Chevy Impala 106 kilometres per hour on Lauzon Road — more than double the posted speed limit — tailgating and jockeying for the lead with a stranger in an SUV.
As the vehicles raced southbound, they side-swiped. The SUV sheared a traffic light off its moorings before flipping upside down.
Katie Robson, who was a backseat passenger in the SUV, wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and became pinned under the overturned vehicle.
The SUV’s driver, Calvin Crosby, 26, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He was sentenced on June 30 to one year behind bars.
Paul Robson said Thursday he has been notified that Crosby is already out of jail.
Robson and his family read victim- impact statements at Colthurst’s sentencing hearing Thursday.
Katie Robson was a triplet. Her siblings are heartbroken by her death.
Brother Robert has autism and is non-verbal. Every night before bed, he watches the slide show of photographs displayed at Katie’s funeral. He walks into her bedroom looking for his sister.
Sister Laura spoke of the burden of caring for Robert without Katie’s help. Katie was a student at St. Clair College, in her final year of a two-year program that trains students to help people with autism and other special needs.
The three siblings would always spend their birthday together. Now Laura goes to the cemetery. “That’s the only way we can be together.” Her birthday, she said through tears, is no longer cause for celebration.
Katie’s mother, Kathy, wrote a statement read into the court record by the prosecutor. In it, she addressed the judge directly. “Give us some kind of justice.” Both drivers had been drinking before the crash. Colthurst had been drinking with a friend at a downtown bar where he picked up a woman. The three then went to a Seminole Street strip club where they picked up two more women. They all piled into Colhurst’s car — more passengers than seatbelts — and were en route to buy cocaine when they encountered Crosby’s SUV.
Colthurst stood trial on charges of dangerous driving causing Robson’s death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. Campbell found Colthurst not guilty of those charges but guilty of two counts of the lesser offence of dangerous driving.
He should be sentenced for the
way he was driving the night Katie Robson was killed, not for the consequences, both sides told the judge.
Colthurst has been on strict bail conditions for more than 3½ years, a consideration in sentencing, court heard.
He has an 11 p.m. curfew and can’t be out of his home for any reason other than work unless he is in the company of his mother.
He has suffered from anxiety and depression from the crash and last year attempted suicide.
When asked in court if he had anything to say, Colthurst rose and offered an apology to the Robson family. “I just want to say I’m sorry,” he began. “I wish I could have traded places that night.”
The words rung hollow for Katie’s father. The driver of the vehicle Katie was in pleaded guilty, sparing the family a trial. Colthurst did not.
“If he was truly sorry, he wouldn’t have put us through this,” Paul Robson said.
The judge has reserved his decision, saying he needs to reflect before imposing sentence.
Colthurst will learn his fate Jan. 5.