Combating again tears, a mom condemned the actions of the person who hit and killed her son, telling the court docket throughout her sufferer impression assertion, “He intentionally left my son to die, fleeing the scene and showing no remorse for his actions. He turned himself in only when there were no places left to run.”
The 14-year-old boy, whose identification has been protected by the courts, was struck by a pick-up truck pushed by 36-year-old Langton native Nicholas Burtch. The collision occurred on the afternoon of December 6 alongside Fairground Highway close to the hamlet of Cultus. The teenager, who was strolling with a good friend, was tossed right into a farmer’s area and died shortly after in hospital. Burtch by no means stopped.
On Wednesday morning Burtch entered a responsible plea on the Simcoe Courthouse in Norfolk County to a cost associated to failing to cease on the scene of a collision inflicting loss of life. The teenager’s mom advised the court docket, “My life will never be the same, and I have been sentenced to live a life without my son.”
Quickly after leaving the scene Burtch could be heard telling family and friends that he broken his truck after hitting a deer, but in addition advised them he had heard in regards to the boy being hit.
His spouse tried to get a good friend to drive him to her mom’s home in Havelock, east of Peterborough – a 330-kilometre drive. The good friend thought-about the request however in the end declined.
Following ideas from folks within the space, the OPP realized Burtch’s truck was parked behind a trailer, below a small Quonset hut, on his mom’s property.
Burtch alongside his spouse and youngsters additionally stay on the property.
Police obtained a warrant and searched the property, and subsequently interviewed Burtch. He continued to assert he had hit a deer however because the interview was concluding he advised police he was not sure if it was a deer or an individual. He then mentioned, “If I could take it back, I would.”
The OPP officer conducting the interview mentioned, “I know you didn’t mean to hit him.”
Burtch responded, “I didn’t.”
Throughout the court docket continuing on Wednesday there have been 18 sufferer impression statements from family and friends. The younger man’s father advised the court docket, “Every day’s been filled with anger, sadness and confusion. Every day is struggle. I feel tired, unmotivated, and find it hard to get out of bed.”
The Ontario Superior Courtroom justice listening to the case provided Burtch an opportunity to specific regret, which he first he declined. However – when pressed – he broke down, sobbing. He then appeared on the household and mentioned, “I’m deeply, deeply, deeply sorry.”
It was famous through the sentencing part that Burtch had no earlier prison convictions however had some rushing citations.
The Assistant Crown Legal professional and Burtch’s lawyer agreed to an 18-month sentence which the court docket accepted. With time served he’ll spend 52 days in custody. Burtch additionally obtained two years probation and a 5 12 months driving prohibition.
