Ruminations

Accidental Slaughter

Those who know him attest to his sterling character. He is characterized as a personable, charitable person who goes out of his way to help others. He is empathetic and in short, a very nice person. He is physically presentable, young, and the fact that he is a hard worker represents yet another bonus. Little wonder that any woman might find him marriageably attractive. It doesn't hurt one little bit that he is set to inherit a fortune from a family business. He is what used to be called a "catch".

And he was caught, it seems, by a young woman who is prepared to share his future. They were destined to be married. They still are, but it seems that the marriage that was in an impending state may yet be carried through, but it will be some time before the two young people are able to be in one another's company for the foreseeable future. He will be called to duty elsewhere, for it appears likely that he will shortly be sentenced to a likely ten years in prison.

This very likeable young man who thinks deeply of the welfare of others around him, also has a background of driver carelessness on the highways. The young man who was known to shovel snow, cut lawns, rake leaves and otherwise be of assistance to the elderly, who would stop to offer directions to people, who if a vehicle broke down would ask if he could be of assistance, is also a man guilty of the deaths of three young children and their grandfather.

"As I listened in horror [in court during his trial where he has been charged with impaired driving on four counts causing death, and two causing bodily harm], to the catastrophic consequences of my actions [in victim impact statements], I knew my words would be of no consolation. Ever since the tragedy that occurred as a result of my inexcusable conduct, I have wanted to say that I'm sorry, and apologize to the whole family, from the bottom of my heart."
"I will spend the rest of my life attempting to atone for my conduct, and devoting myself to educating the public of the disastrous consequences of drinking and driving."
Marco Muzzo, Newmarket, Ontario courtroom

Daniel Neville-Lake, 9, Harrison 5, and Milagros 2, and their grandfather, 65-year-old Gary Neville were in their grandparents' Grand Caravan on their way to Brampton, Ontario. With them was the children's great-grandmother. They never made it to their destination, because a car driven by 29-year-old Marco Muzzo who though he had consumed quite a lot of alcohol, thought he was perfectly fit to drive, and ended up T-boning the car conveying these family members.

While the children's grandmother Neriza Neville and her mother Josephina Frias survived, the other four passengers did not. Directly after the accident -- which the young man realized was imminent and responded by holding down his brakes to little avail -- he dialled 911. The scene was a devastation of crushed and broken bodies, severed and displaced spinal cords. As for Mr. Muzzo, when authorities arrived he was found to be profoundly under the influence of alcohol.

Supporters of the Neville-Lake family appeared at the courthouse in Newmarket, Ont., where Marco Muzzo made a brief court appearance. (Jean-Philippe Nadeau/CBC)

He had a previous record of driving offences which included speeding and texting while driving. And on this occasion he required physical support to remain standing, his eyes were glassy and he reeked of alcohol. He was returning home from a bachelor party having flown in a private jet from Miami. Forensic evidence indicated a sky-high blood alcohol level, between 190 and 245 mg per 100 ml of blood, roughly three times the legal driving limit of 80.

He recalls 'only' three or four drinks on the plane after having consumed alcohol until early morning the previous night.