Cyclist who ran red light and fatally injured pedestrian fined $1,000
Cyclist, who was 25, is 'incredibly and deeply remorseful' for fatally injuring John Kwan, who was 75
A Calgary cyclist who fatally struck a 75-year-old man who was walking in a crosswalk has been fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to an offence under the Traffic Safety Act.
John Kwan was struck on July 16, 2018, while walking across a marked intersection at Richmond Road one block south of 17th Avenue S.W., east of Crowchild Trail. Kwan — who loved to organize family events and was an active volunteer — died in hospital three days later.
On Monday, Paul MacNeil, 25, pleaded guilty to failing to stop at a red light, an offence under Alberta's Traffic Safety Act.
"The rules of the road apply to everyone including cyclists," said prosecutor Doug Taylor. "When not followed, they can have tragic consequences."
A penalty of a $1,000 fine was imposed by provincial court Judge Allan Fradsham.
"[The fine] is not and should not in any way be considered society's evaluation of the loss suffered by Mr. Kwan's family," said Fradsham.
He directed his comments to Kwan's wife and son who were in the courtroom.
"My job is to impose a penalty for the act, not for the consequences … it would be a double tragedy for them to walk out of here to think that is an evaluation of what they've suffered."
John Kwan's son, Paul Kwan, expressed frustration that the accident was preventable but said his family is happy to have some closure through the court process.
He said his father was an active senior who volunteered at the Chinese Cultural Centre and Kerby Centre.
"He loved the community," said Kwan.
Biker 'incredibly and deeply remorseful'
MacNeil's lawyer Cory Wilson said his client is "incredibly and deeply remorseful."
"He just went out that day was heading to work," said Wilson.
"It ended in absolute tragedy with the loss of a life clearly wasn't his intention whatsoever and he takes full responsibility for what occurred that day."
A second charge of careless driving originally faced by MacNeil was withdrawn on Monday.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
