Man who dropped dumbbell off overpass, injuring woman, sentenced

A man who dropped a dumbbell off a Whitemud overpass and injured a woman was sentenced. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson reports.

A man who dropped a dumbbell off an Edmonton overpass, injuring a woman, was sentenced Thursday afternoon.

A couple with their newborn child were driving on a stretch of Whitemud Drive near 53 Avenue in March 2024 when a large metal object went through their windshield.

Police released video, showing what court has since learned was a 20-pound dumbbell dropped from an overpass onto traffic below.

The weight hit the woman’s foot, breaking it. The injury continues to impact her daily life.

“This incident has created fear that such dangerous actions could happen again, putting me and my family at risk,” wrote the woman in an impact statement read in court during a sentencing hearing for Getnet Teklay, the man responsible.

Edmonton police say Teklay was linked to six incidents that happened on the Whitemud around March 2024.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, one of the 15 charges he was facing which have since been withdrawn.

In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard Teklay was suffering from significant and untreated mental health issues at the time.

The court also heard during an interview with police, Teklay’s sister said the family would leave the house when he became agitated until he calmed down to avoid an incident.

She told the officer the mental health system failed her brother.

Teklay has since been diagnosed with a mental illness and has been taking medication and is participating in treatment.

“Given the offender’s compliance with treatment and diligence seeking help, we do not believe he poses a threat to public safety if he serves his sentence in the community,” the Crown told court.

In a joint submission by the Crown and defence, Teklay was given an 18-month conditional sentence with numerous conditions followed by two years probation.