The transport driver charged with three counts of criminal negligence causing death pleaded not guilty in a Sudbury court Tuesday.
Michael Hickey was driving a transport south on Highway 69 South, near the Killarney turnoff, when his vehicle rolled over. Kelly Ann Henderson's northbound vehicle collided with the transport. Henderson and her 12-year-old twin boys were killed in the crash.
Almost six year later, Hickey is standing trial.
On day one, assistant Crown attorney Len Walker made his opening address and called his first witness, a professional engineer and head of the Ministry of Transportation's traffic section for the northeast region.
The testimony lasted most of the day as questions about the design specifications of highways in Ontario, specifically about the section where the collision occurred, were answered.
This curved section on Highway 69, immediately south of Highway 637, was built according to standards set out in the Geometric Standards for Ontario Manual, which is a Ministry of Transportation reference book used by engineers and designers in the construction of Ontario highways, said Graham. After the collision, the highway was tested and ruled safe for driving.
Future witnesses include the transport driver who had possession of the truck before Hickey, witnesses to the accident, and witnesses to the accused's driving on the day of the crash.
Walker said evidence presented during the trial will prove Hickey was warned of the transport's tendency to lean and that he was aware of mechanical problems with the vehicle.
For daily trial updates, visit the police and court section of NorthernLife.ca.
