Driver who ran down boy suing dead teen

A Canadian woman who struck and killed a teenager with her car is now suing the dead boy, claiming her enjoyment of life has been "lessened".

In October 2012 Sharlene Simon was driving along Innisfil Beach Road in Ontario in the early hours of the morning when she collided with three boys riding their bikes, the Toronto Star reports.

Brandon Majewski, 17, was killed while his friend, 16-year-old Richard McLean, was seriously injured when hit by Ms Simon's car on a dimly-lit stretch of road. The third boy, Jake Roberts, 16, was uninjured.

All three boys have been named in the suit that alleges Ms Simon "sustained serious and permanent injuries to important physical, mental and psychological functions".

It claims the boys were negligent, cycling without lights, reflectors or helmets, and did not keep their bikes under control.

A police report found the main contributing factor of the crash was a lack of visibility and charges against the driver were not recommended as there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction".

The lawsuit also names the County of Simcoe for not having the lights or road in good repair.

Mr Majewski's family lawyer, Brian Cameron, said the move was "distasteful".

"The family feels like the wound has been opened up again," Mr Cameron said.

Last year Mr Majewski's family filed a separate suit against the driver, claiming she was negligent, speeding and intoxicated when she hit the boys.

Neither of the claims have been proven in court, and are being handled by Ms Simon's insurance company.

Source: Toronto Star

Author: Jack Hawke, Approving editor: Kieran Campbell