Man found guilty of dangerous driving in crossing guard's death

Xzander Wright, 19, was found guilty Wednesday of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death in the death of crossing guard Peter Clark, 55, who was struck on March 23 while working at Cedarview Road and Kennevale Drive in Barrhaven.

Justice David Berg delivered the verdict after Wright pleaded not guilty to the dangerous driving charge. Wright was driving a Toyota Tundra when the collision occurred. He had earlier pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene.

The Crown argued Wright was looking down when he pressed the gas and advanced into the intersection despite multiple signs of impact: feeling a tap on the front of the truck, seeing the stop sign appear on the hood, and feeling bumps under the wheels. Clark was wearing a bright reflective safety vest and holding up a hand-held stop sign.

Wright testified he did not see Clark. His defence attorney Lawrence Greenspon characterized the case as a "tragic perceptual failure, not a marked departure" from the standard of care expected from a reasonable driver. Crown attorney Julian Daller countered that continuing to accelerate despite feeling and seeing signs of running Clark over was not behaviour of a "reasonable person."

Wright was arrested approximately 24 hours after the collision. Sentencing submissions will begin in November.