The family of Cecile Paquette, who was killed while crossing the intersection of Elgin Street and Beech Street on Sept. 30, 2015, has received a $350,000 settlement from Interpaving Limited.
The company and the family reached the settlement in December of last year.
Interpaving was fined $195,000 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act after being found guilty on March 28, 2018 of failing to provide a signaller at the construction project in 2015 that resulted in the death of Cecile Paquette, 58, after she was hit by a grader as she tried to cross Elgin Street.
Paquette's family filed a $2-million lawsuit against the city of Greater Sudbury, Interpaving, and Benoit St. Jean, who was driving the grader.
An Interpaving spokesperson confirmed Friday that Paquette's family was paid $350,000 by the company in the settlement.
"Everything related to this matter, all legal issues, have been settled," he said. "We want to turn the page on this."
In the fallout of the fatal incident of Sept. 30, 2015, Interpaving was barred from bidding on city contracts in 2016, a decision that was met with some opposition from Interpaving, who said in a 2016 statement, “As we can all appreciate, the tragic accident that occurred in September on the Elgin Street project with the city has put a strain on the relationship between city staff and Interpaving. We are in dialogue with city staff to try to address the issues and improve the relationship.
“That said, we disagree with the city's decision and especially how it was reached. We have engaged in discussions to try to resolve this matter and we hope that we can reach a reasonable resolution. However, if necessary Interpaving will explore all other options available.”
That four-year ban came to a conclusion on March 21 of this year, and Interpaving is once agaIn free to bid on jobs in Greater Sudbury.
Interpaving pleaded guilty to health and safety charges for the accident, The City of Greater Sudbury, however, was acquitted on health and safety charges by Ontario Court Justice Karen Lische.
The Ministry of Labour appealed the decision but the acquittal was upheld by Superior Court Justice John Poupore.
