Brandon Pardi found guilty in dangerous driving trial

Nadine and Sebastien Leduc, the parents of three-year-old Bianca Leduc, participate in a march against street racing and speeders in Ile Perrot, Que., Nov. 11, 2007. A driver accused of running down a Quebec toddler on the day he turned 18 will see his verdict handed down, in an adult court, Friday Dec. 9, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe

Brandon Pardi, the young man who ran over three-year-old Bianca Leduc in 2007, was found guilty Friday of the actions that led to the child's death.

On Oct. 31, 2007, Pardi was at the wheel of a car that hit another vehicle and ended up in the front yard of a Pincourt home. Bianca was pinned underneath and died from her injuries.

Judge Michel Mercier ruled Friday that Pardi committed a number of acts that constituted the crime, including driving when he was only licensed to drive with a supervisor, taking a car with a manual transmission that he could barely control, crossing a yellow line and speeding.

A responsible driver would not have driven under these conditions, ruled Mercier.

"I'm convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Pardi drove in a manner dangerous to the public," wrote Mercier in a nine-page report distributed in the courthouse, in which he concluded that Pardi's behaviour fit the definition of reckless driving.

Sentencing is expected to take place March 20.

Lengthy trial

Pardi's trial for criminal negligence and dangerous driving causing the death of Bianca Leduc began in May after a lengthy legal battle wherein Pardi tried to convince the courts that because he turned 18 the day of the crash, he was not yet legally an adult.

That argument was rejected by Quebec's courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear the case.

During the trial, Crown witnesses argued that Pardi was racing with another car in a residential neighbourhood, and that Pardi hit speeds of more than 70 kilometres per hour in a 30-kilometre-per-hour zone.

The defence admitted that Pardi did not have a full licence, was speeding, and was using a phone while driving, but said none of those actions are considered crimes.

The 17-year-old who was driving the other car, who cannot be named because he was a minor at the time of the incident, was acquitted this year.

Emotional verdict

Pardi appeared nervous while entering the courtroom Friday morning. He was accompanied by about 20 friends and family members.

After the verdict was announced, he left in tears, without offering any comments, as his family also broke out in tears.

The charge of dangerous driving causing death can lead to a maximum 14-year prison term, however prosecutor Joey Dubois said Friday that given that it was a first offence, he will not call for the maximum penalty.

Dubois said he was pleased with the verdict.

"The difference between a person who knows how to drive and an inexperienced driver is large, when you evaluate the negligence," said Dubois.

He added that the young man should have known the terrain.

"He grew up in the area and should have known that it was a 30-kilometre-per-hour zone and should have therefore driven more safely."

Defence attorney Pierre Joyal said that it is still too early to comment on the verdict.

"The judge essentially said that this is reckless driving because Brandon did not have a drivers' licence. We'll go home, read the judgment and then make a decision," said Joyal.

With a file from The Canadian Press