Premier Doug Ford is meeting Friday with the family of the man killed last month by an alleged dangerous driver, who was already facing charges in a collision involving the premier.
On August 3, around 9:30 p.m., police say Jaiwin Kirubananthan, 18, was allegedly involved in a crash on Highway 48 between St. John Sideroad and Ballantrae Commons, that claimed the life of 35-year-old Andrew Cristillo.
Kirubananthan of Oshawa is facing several charges in connection to the fatal collision including dangerous driving causing death, three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
The crash also injured Cristillo’s three young daughters and wife, Christina, who is currently battling breast cancer.
The family has launched a petition calling for Andrew’s Law, which they hope would strengthen dangerous driving penalties, including revoking an accused person’s licence until they go to trial, and enacting lifetime driving bans for people convicted of extreme dangerous driving.
Ford previously commented on the crash, calling it a heart-wrenching incident. “You think of the three young girls, his wife that has cancer. Everyone has to pitch in and help this family, it’s terrible.”
“As far as I’m concerned he shouldn’t have been driving,” Ford said of the accused. The suspect had been charged with dangerous driving in the incident involving the premier.
The crash with Ford happened back in January on Highway 401 in Pickering, Ont. as the Premier was coming back from an announcement at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. His vehicle got “sideswiped.”
Ford was asked at a news conference last month if he would support strengthening penalties and said he agrees “absolutely.”
The transportation minister and solicitor general are also set to attend Friday’s meeting.
