Deadly Driving: Heartbreaking Testimony at Paul Manzon’s Brampton Trial

Some families of victims have told the judge that they prefer to wait for him to return to court in person to be sure he will hear what they have to say.

Paul Manzon was convicted last January of dangerous driving causing death, but was acquitted of criminal negligence causing death.

The individual’s trial had demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that he had indeed caused the accident which killed three people and injured two others on August 4, 2018 on the A-50.

The driver of the Corvette was traveling at the time of the collision at 163 km/h, more than twice the speed limit, while racing a motorcyclist.

Besides the three victims who were in the SUVthe collision left two people injured, one in the Kia, the other in the Corvette in question.

Allison Jones, 47, and her 7-year-old son, Miles, were killed in their vehicle along with Julia Riccobene, a 12-year-old girl. They all resided in Woodbridge.

Sign of fate, young Julia could not return with her parents after a football game the afternoon of the tragedy, so Allison Jones had offered to drive her home in her car with her little boy.

teenage love

The young Joseph Guastella certainly offered the most poignant testimony before the Superior Court of Ontario, whose hearings were in face-to-face and virtual modes.

Manzon attended his hearing from his residence in Caledon, where he has lived since being released on bail pending sentencing.

Joseph and Julia were both 12 at the time and we understand that they were in love.

I had texted her, because she was complaining of a headache, and I had suggested cold compresses on her forehead when I got homerecalls Joseph, who is now 16 years old.

But she never came homehe continues, implying that the collision had interrupted the conversation without his knowing it.

Joseph Guastella explained that he had also kept the text message in question and that the photo of Julia is still on the bedside table in his room.

He maintains that Julia was lively, funny and loved to laugh. I could never talk to her, laugh with her or hug her again.he adds.

The teenager then turned to the judge, asking her, his throat tied with emotion, that justice be done against the accused.

Vibrant testimonials

The teenager’s classmates also paid tribute to her in turn in front of a court. Young Juliana DeOliveira said that Julia had the most beautiful soul she knows on the planet and that it will forever remain in his heart and his memory.

Madelyn Orrico for her part recalled the good memories she shared with Julia in her dance classes and in the studio, where she still sometimes hears his voice. She claims the teenager had a wonderful smile.

My heart broke into a thousand pieces when I heard of her death, I couldn’t believe my ears, she didn’t deserve such a deathdid she say.

Julia’s soccer coach, Ashley Grosso, said she was wracked with guilt for letting Allison Jones drive the teenager home.

Perhaps I could have found another carpooling solution, for example by calling a taxi?asks the young woman.

Ms. Grosso says she knew the three victims well, who sometimes attended her games. The whole community knows each other, I still can’t believe it. I lost three people that I grew to loveshe concludes.

Another life turned upside down

Julia’s teacher, Nicole Barnett, extolled the qualities of her former student, but she mainly explained the unintended consequences of her death.

She claims she is in therapy and taking medication for anxiety diagnosed in the weeks after the fatal A-50 collision. She also states that she avoids the area when she leaves her home.

I am obsessed with the safety of my children, I am afraid to hit the road and that they will become orphans if I should have an accidentshe says.

She adds that she now finds it difficult to bond with her students for the same reason. Julia’s death turned my life upside downshe concludes.

The testimony of the family of Allison Jones will be presented at the resumption of the hearing on September 16 in the presence of the offender in the box of the accused.

It is also unclear whether Julia Riccobene’s father and other family members will speak that day as well.

The Crown and the defense have not yet announced the number of years in prison they will seek from Judge Nancy Dennison.