Man charged in hit-and-run death gets bail

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/1293516--man-charged-in-hit-and-run-death-gets-bail

Published 52 minutes ago

Share on twitter Share on facebook

 

Andrew Livingstone
Staff Reporter

A 22-year-old man charged with fleeing the scene where the van he was allegedly driving struck and killed cyclist Tom Samson was released on $40,000 bail Monday afternoon.
Sitting in the prisoners dock in an Old City Hall courtroom, Miguel Oliveira, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants, dabbed his eyes as he wept through the hearing.
“It’s tough stuff, it’s a serious allegation and there was a life lost,” said defence lawyer Calvin Barry of his client. “He saw his brother and mother and father come to his support as all family members try to stick together in times like this.”
Standing outside the courthouse, Barry said Oliveira will plead not guilty to the charges when the time comes, but wouldn’t speak to the case.
“He’s pleading not guilty and it’s a tragic, unfortunate thing that happened,” he said. “We’ll have to let the matter unravel in the court system.”
The bail proceedings were under a publication ban.
Oliveira will be under house arrest on bail, but is allowed to go to work and to meet with counsel and is prohibited from driving.
Samson, a 35-year-old elementary school teacher and father of two, was crossing the north side of Davenport Rd. from the east side of Lansdowne Ave. just after 6:30 a.m. on Friday when he was struck by a westbound minivan.
The force of the impact threw Samson into the path of an eastbound van, which also hit him. The second vehicle’s driver, a 63-year-old man, stayed at the scene.
Samson was rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital, where he died.
A funeral has been arranged for Tuesday afternoon at the Wychwood Barns community centre located on 76 Wychwood Ave. near St. Clair Ave. W. and Christie St. The public is invited to join in from 1 p.m.
Oliveira returns to court on Jan. 9.

Calvin Barry

To: BARRY, CALVIN
Subject: NOVEMBER 15 SECOND CHANCE FUND RAISER - THANK YOU

 

Good Afternoon,

 

Rick Gosling would like to thank you most sincerely for everything you did to help make the Second Chance Fund Raising event on Thursday, November 15 at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites such a success.

 

We are delighted that through your generosity Second Chance is able to provide scholarships for the five students profiled during the fund-raising event.

 

The part you played in the event - attending the event, buying a ticket, donating a prize for the silent auction, bidding at the auction, informing your contacts of the event - played an essential part in making the evening successful.  We are very grateful for and most appreciative of your support.

 

Attached is the draft of a brochure with information on a fund-raising Bowl-A-Thon for the Second Chance Foundation event we are holding on January 31, 2013 in partnership with Kalvi Connections who are very kindly organizing and hosting the event.  We hope you will be free to take part in an evening of fun while supporting Second Chance.

 

With best regards, Alexandra Fraser