No charges will be laid against the American driver who struck 18-year-old cyclist Clément Ouimet on Mount Royal’s Camillien-Houde Way last October, announced Quebec’s Crown prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.
Ouimet died in the hospital after he was hit by the Toyota Highlander that was making an illegal U-Turn on Camillien-Houde Way.
According to a statement issued by the Crown prosecutor’s office, prosecutors needed to be convinced beyond reasonable doubt of the driver’s guilt prior to charges being filed.
“Because of the principle of the presumption of innocence, the prosecution must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused in court,” said the Crown in the statement.
Following the accident, several measures have been taken to increase safety on Mount Royal including:
- Extending the central median around the lookout area over a distance of 30 metres after the curve.
- Adding road signage at various locations to clearly indicate that U-turns are prohibited
- Information signs at the bottom and top of Camillien-Houde Way reminding drivers that U-turns are prohibited on the mountain
- Installing a digital speed monitor at the end of the curve
Starting on June 1, through traffic on Mont Royal’s Camillien-Houde Way will be blocked as part of a new pilot project implemented by Mayor Valérie Plante.
See also
- Pilot project restricting traffic on Mount Royal's Camillien-Houde Way begins on June 1
- New safety measures put in place on Mount Royal after cyclist dies
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