Family of man killed in Springwater hit-and-run speak out at sentencing hearing
Six months after being found guilty of a fatal hit and run in 2018 that claimed the life of Dominik Adamek in Springwater Township, Maimuna Baldeh heard from his grieving family, who told the court about the pain they've endured since that day.
"Our joy was cut short too soon," read the family's victim impact statement. "Our lives were permanently changed."
Adamek's mother told the court, "Part of my heart was ripped away on May 5 by Maimuna Baldeh."
She described burying her son on Mother's Day and how she brings flowers to his grave rather than receiving them from him.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
In November, Baldeh was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
The court heard the Newmarket woman was driving to work in Thornbury around 5 a.m. when she struck 27-year-old Adamek as he walked along Wilson Road after a night out with friends. He was roughly 2.5 kilometres from his home.
His body was found about an hour later by a passerby who called 911.
Dominik Adamek's shoe is shown lying on the ground on May 5, 2018, after he was fatally hit by a car. (Court exhibit)
During the two-week trial, Baldeh testified she didn't know what she hit that morning, saying she thought something might have fallen off the truck travelling in front of her, so she kept driving.
The court heard she called her boyfriend, who testified that she'd told him something had jumped in front of her that morning.
The Crown called her actions "morally reprehensible," arguing Baldeh fled the scene to avoid civil and criminal liability.
Following the hit and run, police and Adamek's family issued pleas for the person responsible to come forward.
No one ever did.
Baldeh was arrested and charged nine months after Adamek died.
On Thursday, following the victim impact statements, she addressed the courtroom, saying she would take back what had happened if she could.
"If I had just known that I had hit a person, I would've stayed there," she said. "I wasn't sure of what had happened."
She continued, "I truly feel what the family is going through because I can't imagine losing a loved one," adding, "I truly feel their pain, and I just wish that it never happened like this."
The Crown is seeking a five-year sentence to be accompanied by a driving prohibition.
The defence is seeking a conditional sentence of 18 to 20 months, including house arrest.
Sentencing is scheduled to be handed down early next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.