The family of the Toronto taxi driver killed just days before his citizenship ceremony is suing the men who caused the collision for $2 million.
Pakistan-born Tahir Khan died in January 2006 when his cab was hit on Mount Pleasant Avenue with such force that it was found wrapped around a hydro pole. At the time of the collision, Alexander Ryazanov and Wang-Piao Dumani Ross were driving separate Mercedes-Benzs as fast as 140 kilometres an hour on the busy Toronto street.
The 46-year-old Diamond Taxi driver died almost instantly.
The two men pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving causing death. Both were sentenced to house arrest and probation. Their lawyers insist their clients were not street racing, but Khan's widow believes the high speed at which they were travelling indicates otherwise.
She is suing the drivers and their parents, who owned the cars, for punitive damages. Her lawsuit claims the drivers should have been aware speeding was likely to cause an accident.
"The death of Mr. Khan as a direct result of the collision has caused extreme grief, emotional upset, pain and suffering," the lawsuit states. "The actions of the defendants consisted of such a marked departure from the normal standards of society... a complete disregard for the life and safety of the members of the public."
In its effort to hold the parents partially responsible as well, the suit claims they had failed to properly maintain their vehicles, that their sons were not taught proper operating procedures and that they were legally liable for the drivers' negligence because they had allowed their sons to drive the cars.
The statement of claim has been filed in Ontario Superior Court and its contents have not been proven.
Khan's family continues to reside in Pakistan.
Khan had been making a legal left turn when one of the two speeding northbound luxury cars hit his cab. Ryazanov and Dumani Ross were 20 when they were sentenced and each were handed one year's house arrest and two years of probation.
The Crown is appealing that sentence, having initially pushed for a three-year prison term.
With files from the Canadian Press
