Driver who hit and killed 7-year-old Ukrainian granted bail, with conditions
The driver involved in the hit-and-run that killed a seven-year-old Ukrainian girl in Montreal on Tuesday has been granted bail, but he will not be able to drive until the court proceedings are complete.
Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia, 45, turned himself into Longueuil police on Tuesday afternoon after the incident happened in the Ville-Marie borough early in the morning. He was charged on Wednesday with having not stopped at the site of an accident causing a death.
READ MORE: Man charged after 7-year-old Ukrainian evacuee dies in Montreal hit-and-run
The child, who died in hospital, was identified as a Ukrainian evacuee named Mariia Legenkovska. She arrived in Canada two months ago with her mother and two siblings after they had fled the war in Ukraine. She had been walking to school with her siblings when she was hit by the vehicle.
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Prosecutor Alexandre Gautier said that given the guarantees offered by the defense, the prosecution agreed to the man’s release. He also said that they have been speaking with the family and explained the proceedings to them and how Thursday’s hearing would go. That the priority is that the family be fully accompanied amid the judicial proceedings.
Ukrainian child killed hit and run Montreal – Mariia Legenkovska (Photo Credit: Facebook)
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The investigation is still ongoing and reconstruction specialists are still analyzing the data collected.
Becerra Garcia will have to abide by several conditions for his release, including:
- Not communicating with the victim’s family;
- Deposit of $2,000;
- He must stay at the address he provided on Montreal’s South Shore and not change address without authorization of the court;
- He is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle
Fundraiser and march in Mariia’s honour
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An online fundraiser to help the child’s family with funeral costs and more has already garnered over $100,000 as of Thursday afternoon, with a goal of $150,000. It was organized by the employers and colleagues of Mariia’s mother.
A march has been organized Friday in the neighbourhood to honour the girl’s memory.
Organizers also say they want to advocate for safer school zones and denounce dangerous driving.
“Walking to school should not be deadly,” organizers wrote on Facebook.
