More than 100 people gathered outside the Innisfil Recreation Complex on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the life of Brandon Majewski. The 17-year-old died in hospital after being hit on his bicycle by an SUV in the fall of 2012.
Family friend Larry Hurd says the celebration shows the community support for the decision by South Simcoe Police to call for an outside police service to review the investigation into Majewski’s death.
“I think the community it's here is rallying around the Majewski family and showing support, healing is happening really. Everybody has come together the police, the town and the people of Innisfil are supporting this event today.”
A memorial marks the spot where Brandon and his two friends were riding their bikes on Innisfil Beach Road. Around 1:30 a.m. on October 28, 2012, Brandon and a friend were hit.
After investigating, South Simcoe Police said the driver was not at fault and wasn’t charged. The Majewski family still questions the results of the initial police investigation and filed a lawsuit against the driver, Sharlene Simon, for counselling, funeral and medical expenses. Their lawsuit claims Simon was speeding, that she may have been intoxicated and also talking on a cell phone.
Simon has since filed a lawsuit against the dead boy’s estate, the two other teens and Simcoe County which is responsible for the maintenance on the road for a combined $1.35 million.
Simon's suit is a countersuit to one levelled against her by Majewski's family. According to her lawyer Michael Ellis, Simon “has been unable to return to work since the collision. She has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She is also a victim.”
Devon Hussy was a friend of Brandon’s and was upset by the second lawsuit.
“I was devastated I was shocked, my heart was heavy, it's was like my best friend dies all over again, I didn't know how to cope with it, it's so hard.”
So far none of the allegations have been proven in court but the review of the initial investigation by an outside police service is expected to help provide extra confidence in the facts to both sides.
Simon's lawyer issued a statement saying "We are confident that once the public becomes fully informed of the facts surrounding this awful collision, the many unfair and false allegations made against her will cease."
Hurd says the community just wants all the facts on the table.
“It's going to make it more transparent and sometimes that's what you need to do quell the rumours and innuendo around something like this.”
At this point, the South Simcoe Police Chief has not selected the third party police service that will be conducting the review of the investigation and no court dates have been set.
