Consquences

"The whole reasoning behind the action is to ensure the kids have education, health and welfare, all the ordinary things that your parents normally help you out with. They no longer have parents to help them out with the milestones in life, going to university, buying your first home." Lawyer Russel Molot

Simon Banke, 20 years old, and invincible, recklessly drove his black Nissan 300ZX in downtown Ottawa, feeling himself immune to traffic laws, and to the imperative not to drive when alcohol has been consumed. He cannot believe that he lost control of his car. This is what he said, over and over again, at the scene of the accident, where his car mowed down two parents of a young family.

His disbelief did not appear to linger on the fact that he could not believe he was responsible for taking the lives of two people in the prime of their lives.

Three young girls are now orphans. Their mother and their father are dead. They are bereft of the loving care and concern and guidance of their parents. There is nothing on Earth that can compensate them for this grievous loss, and no power in Heaven that can lighten their burden of grief.

Their relatives, mourning for their dead family members, worried about the future for the three daughters of Leo Paul Regnier and his wife Sherianne - both 35 years of age, and gone forever - have secured the services of a lawyer, and launched a lawsuit.

Simon Banke has been advised that he is the subject of a civil lawsuit, for his criminal behaviour. His insurance company is aware of the litigation that has been initiated. Mr. Banke has been granted bail, and he is confined to his home, but may attend his workplace or school.

He has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with stunt driving. He may no longer, as a condition of bail granted him, drive his vehicle.

"I think he suffered from the 'not-me' syndrome. That he could (allegedly) drive like a maniac and nothing would happen to him, but it did." A comment by a witness who observed the manner in which Mr. Banke was driving his car, before the occurrence of the accident.

The tragedy in cases like this is not that 'nothing happens' to the reckless driver, but the danger they pose to other people. In this instance the danger that Mr. Banke imposed on two people out celebrating the date of their first meeting one another, was a dreadfully mortal one.