Brampton teen charged in connection with fatal collision

A teenager from Brampton has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

The accused was 17 at the time of the alleged offence, which stems from a collision where 24-year-old Sumit Kataria died from injuries suffered in a multi-vehicle collision. As such, the accused cannot be named under the general provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

Peel Regional Police (PRP) says that Kataria, also of Brampton, was involved in a collision at the intersection of Mavis Road and Clementine Boulevard around 9:10 p.m. on Jan. 27. He was transported to a trauma centre, where he died from his injuries.

The driver in the other vehicle was not injured. On May 19, that driver was arrested and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

A dangerous-operation-causing-death conviction often results in a lengthy prison term when the accused is an adult. The maximum sentence, per the Criminal Code of Canada, is 14 years.

However, youth sentencing guidelines in Canada are separate from adults. Under the YCJA, custody sentences are primarily intended for violent offenders and serious repeat offenders. A youth court judge also must first consider all available options other than custody that are reasonable, given the circumstances of a case.

In the meantime, anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact investigators with PRP’s Major Collision Bureau at 905-453–2121, ext. 3710.

Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.