The family of third-year Carleton student Connor Boyd, who was killed in a crash between VIA Rail and a bus in September 2013, is now suing the City of Ottawa and VIA Rail for negligence. The suit also names the estate of deceased OC Transpo driver David Woodard.
Boyd was one of six people killed in the crash. Other families of the deceased have also filed lawsuits.
The claim states Woodard drove the route 76 bus past the Transitway warning lights near Woodroffe Avenue and the Fallowfield VIA station, through the safety barrier, and into the side of the oncoming VIA train, cleaving the front of the bus away.
Seeking $850,000 in reparations due to negligence, Boyd’s parents, grandparents, and younger sister expressed in their statement of claim “their lives have been changed forever with the loss of their son, brother, and grandson with whom they shared a warm, caring, and loving relationship.” Brian Parnega, lawyer for the Boyd family, said he expects the defendants will pay damages.
VIARail and the City of Ottawa have refused comment.
