Family gathers at Barrie courthouse as trial looms 3 years after fatal crash
The family of John Bull attended the Barrie courthouse on Monday, three years after the longtime auto repair business owner from Severn Township was killed in a crash.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Police say the collision happened before noon on February 5, 2021, at Quarry Road and St. Amant Road in Severn when a dump truck crossed the centre line and slammed into the oncoming GMC Jimmy driven by 60-year-old Bull.
Police say he died at the scene.
Vincent Vallee, then 35, from Victoria Harbour, was arrested three months after the collision and charged with dangerous driving. Vallee was initially charged with public mischief and criminal negligence causing death. Police said at the time, the mischief charge involved Vallee misleading or making a false statement to investigators.
For the Bull family, the classic car lover and respected mechanic's death has left an irreplaceable void.
"He was one of a kind guy; he was a special guy. Everybody liked him. He poured his heart out and did everything for everybody. He was just that type of a guy. He was a magnet wherever we went," said Bull's widow, Mary Louise Bull. "He had a good heart. I couldn’t have married a better man and married into a better family and had a better family."
John Bull (C) is surrounded by his family, including his wife, Mary Louise Bull (L) in this undated photo. (Supplied)
The couple were married for 39 years and had two children and grandchildren.
"I miss him. I miss him so much," said his daughter, Justine Bull, outside the courthouse. "He will never be forgotten; we're just here for him."
The trial is expected to formally begin on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976654.1721864632!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: Wildfire reaches south outskirts of townsite
One of two wildfires threatening the townsite in Jasper National Park has reached the southern outskirts of the Alberta Rockies community.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden says he ended re-election bid to unite party
Insisting that 'the defence of democracy is more important than any title,' U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday explained in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.
Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'
Canada's Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous 'Billionaires' Row,' to a parliamentary committee.