Montreal construction zone snags hit-and-run driver
One of Montreal’s notorious construction zones actually served some good.
In May 2016, Aravindan Selvanayagam, 29, was on his way to work when he crashed his car into the back of another on westbound Highway 40, where it intersects with Highway 15 near Town of Mount Royal.
But instead of staying put or checking on the other driver, Selvanayagam backed up and drove away. But he did not get very far before the police found him, as his lawyer revealed during a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
“He ended up in a construction zone and was caught,” Tom Pentefountas said.
Prosecutor Sylvie Dulude presented a common suggestion that Selvanayagam serve a 90-day prison term on Fridays and Saturdays so that he can keep his full-time job.
A woman who was in the other car suffered injuries to her neck and head and she is now afraid to drive, Dulude told Quebec Court Judge Thierry Nadon.
She said Selvanayagam, a resident of Villeray— St-Michel—ParcExtension, had no criminal record and had a clean driving record at the time of the collision.
Initially, Selvanayagam was charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm and refusing to submit to a breathalyzer.
On Sept. 20, he pleaded guilty to the latter but no mention was made on Wednesday as to why the Sûreté du Québec suspected he was driving while impaired.
Nadon agreed with the prison term and a subsequent 50 weeks of probation. As well, Selvanayagam is prohibited from driving for 18 months.
“It was a mistake,” Selvanayagam said when the judge asked if he had anything to say.
“I was just thinking about getting to work. I should have stopped and went to work later. I’m really sorry for what happened to the victim.”
According to Transport Quebec’s website, there are currently at least 16 construction zones on major Montreal highways that it classifies as being major hindrances.