Montreal

Quebec woman who caused fatal crash by stopping for ducks appeals sentence

Emma Czornobaj, the Quebec woman who stopped her car on a highway to allow some ducklings to cross, was in the province's top court to appeal her conviction and sentence.

Emma Czornobaj's lawyers argue her driving can't be defined as criminal

Emma Czornobaj's lawyer told the panel of appeal court judges that, according to the law, her driving could not be qualified as criminal. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

The Quebec woman who stopped her car on a highway to allow some ducklings to cross was in the province's top court Tuesday to appeal her conviction and sentence.

In 2014, a jury convicted Emma Czornobaj of two counts criminal negligence causing death, and two counts of dangerous driving causing death.

A judge ordered the woman from the Montreal suburb of Châteauguay to serve 90 days in jail on the weekends and banned her from driving for 10 years.

André Roy, 50, was riding on a motorcycle with his 16-year-old daughter Jessie south of Montreal when they slammed into the back of Czornobaj's car.

Both died in the accident. 

Czornobaj's lawyer told the panel of appeal court judges that, according to the law, her driving could not be qualified as criminal.

He also argued that the jury received inadequate instructions from the judge who presided over the case. 

With files from The Canadian Press