Crash victim was street racing, police reveal
October 15, 2008
Bob Mitchell
Staff Reporter
Peel Police today pleaded with young drivers to stop racing after revealing
a 20-year-old Mississauga man, who died in a crash last month, was involved
in a high-speed street race.
Darren D'Souza was killed instantly when his Honda Civic was ripped apart
and demolished in the horrific crash on Argentia Rd. on Sept. 29.
Three other young men have now been charged in connection with his death on
the street, north of Derry Rd. in the Meadowvale area of Mississauga.
Peel Inspector Steve Pegrum of the Major Collision Bureau today said the
crash occurred durng an "organized street race" among three vehicles at
about 11 p.m. He said several spectators were on hand.
The actual mangled wreckage of the Honda Civic was parked outside of Peel
Police headquarters today.
"A young man with countless potential has been killed," Pegrum said at a
news conference at Peel Police headquarters in Brampton. "His family and
family of all the participants have been forever changed."
Pegrum said the victim's family allowed police to display the wreckage and
have photos taken in the hope it will prevent further "devastating,
family-altering" tragedies from occurring.
In an effort to prevent further such races, Pegrum urged people to call
Crime Stoppers with the identities of known street racers and to call 911 if
they know when a race is about to occur.
"You're not only endangering your own life but also the lives of others,"
Pegrum said, urging street racers to think twice about the "risks" they're
taking.
Among those arrested and charge was a flag man whom police allege controlled
when the race started. Also charged are the two other drivers allegedly
involved in the high-speed deadly crash.
"The speed limit is 60 km/h ... He lost control and struck a light standard
... The impact was so violent that his car was severed in half," Pegrum
said.
Police won't reveal specifics about the deadly incident but Pegrum said
there is no indication there were any other races before or planned after
this crash. He would not reveal what kinds of licences the drivers had or
who the vehicles were registered to.
Several witnesses have been interviewed, Pegrum said.
Nigel D'Souza, 19 (no relation to the deceased), Simeon Remedios, 20, and a
16-year-old teenager whose identity is protected by Canada's youth laws,
have each been charged with criminal negligence causing death while a street
racing.
Pegrum said it's the first time such a charge targeting street racing has
been laid in Peel since legislation was enacted in Dec. 2006.
"It may be the first in the province as well," Pegrum said.
Remedios has also been charged with failing to stop at the scene of an
accident causing death.
D'Souza remains in custody. Remedios is scheduled to return to a Brampton
court on Nov. 17. The youth will be in court Nov. 3.
Police won't say how long the street race was or whether the other vehicles
have been impounded and seized.
Photo/Video:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/517835
Original Message on Goanet:
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-October/081562.html
