Verdict expected Thursday in trial of truck driver accused in fatal crash

Verdict expected in Quigley trial A judge is expected to render a verdict in the case of a truck driver accused in a fatal crash on Hwy 400. CTV Barrie’s Rob Cooper reports.

A judge is expected to deliver a verdict in the case of a truck driver accused in a fatal crash.

Geoff Quigley was hauling 70,000 pounds of lumber when his truck rear ended a van in the northbound lanes of Highway 400, near Line 4 in Innisfil in 2014.

The van went through the guardrail, hitting Karron Derbyshire-Mitchell’s minivan. Derbyshire-Mitchell died a day later in hospital.

The 51-year-old is charged with criminal negligence causing death and has pleaded not guilty.

During the trail, the Crown argued the brakes on the truck were unsafe. Two OPP officers testified that Quigley's pre-shift notes did not outline any defects. However, seven of the air brakes were not properly adjusted.

Quigley told police that day he couldn't stop in time to avoid rear ending the van. The defence says the trucks GPS shows no excessive speed and no poor driving before the crash.

The Crown argues Quigley's driving was dangerous and the dangerous operation aspect began before Quigley got into the truck.

It says it started when he was supposed to do a vehicle check before starting his shift.

The judge says he needs to decide if an inspection was done at all or if Quigley just did a poor job on the inspection.