Uber driver handed driving ban for failing to stop after crash that killed dog

An Uber driver was handed a 12-month driving ban on Tuesday following a collision that injured a pedestrian and killed a dog in Barrie.

Yong-Seon Lee, a 59-year-old man from Richmond Hill, pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene of a crash after his vehicle hit a dog walker on Bayfield Street near Hanmer Street in December 2023.

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The court heard there was no evidence that Lee was speeding or impaired at the time of the incident.

According to the Crown, the pedestrian suffered a hairline fracture to his leg and had visible injuries to his face and hands. He told the police that a dark-coloured SUV had struck him, which the court heard turned out to be Lee's vehicle. The court also learned it would have been dark at the time of the collision, and the pedestrian wasn't using a crosswalk.

Lee, who had no criminal record, admitted to leaving the scene and stopping roughly 500 metres away in a parking lot.

His lawyer told the court Lee was extremely scared when he drove away from the scene, calling the incident an unfortunate accident and urging the judge not to order a driving prohibition.

The court heard Lee had been an Uber driver for four years, supporting his wife and their two children, both attending university.

During sentencing, Justice Sarah Tarcza conceded that while Lee's actions were not intentional, his failure to stop at the scene of a crash involving both a pedestrian and a dog was significant.

"It's just fortunate the injuries were not more serious to [the pedestrian]," she said.

The defence requested a conditional discharge to avoid the impact a conviction would have on Lee's livelihood as an Uber driver.

However, Justice Tarcza ultimately decided that a conviction was necessary "given the circumstances."

Along with the 12-month driving ban, Lee was given one year to pay a $1,800 fine.