WATCH; A former Saanich Police officer lost his leg after he was hit by an SUV at Ogden Point. The man who hit him faced three serious charges and today, a verdict was handed down. Monica Martinez reports.
Retired police officer Ron Broda walks out of the Victoria courthouse after just hearing the verdict of the man who hit him at the Ogden Point parking lot in 2013.
“I am relieved this chapter is closing and I can continue with the more positive aspects of life,” Broda said.
The crash happened in July of 2013 at the Ogden Point parking lot.
Broda was on his motorcycle making a turn when Eric Gosse, driving an SUV, hit him.
The collision left Broda with life-threatening injuries.
He miraculously survived but had to have his left leg amputated.
Eric Gosse faced three charges: criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, assault, and aggravated assault.
The judge acquitted Gosse on all three charges but did find him guilty of a lesser charge – dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
“I am disappointed and expected a conviction on one of the assault charges,” said Broda.
In court, the judge said the evidence fell short of establishing intent which is crucial for a guilty verdict in charges involving assault.
She said there is no evidence the men knew each other or had interacted with each other prior to the crash.
She ruled there was no road rage and the driver was not distracted or impaired.
“The judgement was clearly a carefully reasoned and thoughtful decision. The crown respects the decision and the process. We don’t take the position that we win or lose.
Our job is to put forward a strong case,” said Communications Counsel Dan McLaughlin with the Criminal Justice Branch.
Broda said, despite his injuries, he is doing well.
“I am doing fine. I have tremendous support from my biological family and church family and friends and colleagues at work,” he said.
Neither Gosse nor his defence lawyer wanted to talk to CHEK News Thursday.
His sentencing hearing will be set by April 27th.
The penalty ranges from an absolute discharge to 10 years in jail.
Ron Broda says he is focusing on moving on with his life and making the best of his new reality.
It’s not clear yet if the Crown will appeal the decision.
They have to wait first until the sentencing comes down for Eric Gosse before commenting on that aspect, but both Gosse and Broda will be back in court for a civil trial.
Broda says he faces new challenges as a result of his injuries.
He has three different prosthetic legs for various activities and is more at risk of other injuries as he ages.
He’s also had to make modifications to his home and make it wheelchair accessible.
That trial is not likely to start until 2018 if a settlement isn’t reached before then.
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