Tow truck operator found not guilty in crash that killed pedestrian

A tow truck driver accused of killing a pedestrian has been found not guilty. With more on the judge’s reasoning, here’s CTV London’s Nick Paparella.

A London courtroom heard that Garnet Prydie had just finished buying some fast food when he stepped out onto a parking lot at Wellington and Southdale Roads in south London on July 22, 2022.

In a matter of seconds, he was struck and killed by a tow truck, which left the scene. The 56-year-old Prydie died from extensive trauma to the skull.

Charged with dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene, Abdul Kazoun, 26, testified at his trial that he never saw Prydie on that summer day and wasn’t aware that he struck him with the truck.

Despite testimony during the trial that the tow truck was moving quickly, in her ruling Justice Patricia Moore said, “I do not find Mr. Kozoun’s speed of 11 to 14 kilometres an hour was inherently dangerous.”

She added, “I find that there were no issues with Mr. Kazoun’s driving before or after the collision.”

As she handed down her decision, the judge found Kazoun not guilty on both charges, “In criminal proceedings the issue is not simply whether the accused was negligent in the way he drove his vehicle.”

She went on to say, “In this case I must ask myself whether I’m satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Kazoun’s failure to keep a proper lookout and see Mr. Prydie before the collision or immediately after amounted to a marked departure from the standard of care.”

A relieved Kazoun left the London courthouse with his family.

His lawyer Laura Ellis addressed the media outside, “This was a very emotional case for all parties involved and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.”

She added, “Ultimately, her Honour weighed the evidence, and her determination was that this didn’t rise to a criminal standard.”