Victim's family addresses driver guilty of fatal crash with emotional statements

A man found guilty of dangerous driving causing death in 2021 heard from the victim’s family in a Barrie courtroom on Friday ahead of his sentencing.

Vincent Vallee, 38, sat in the courtroom as John Bull’s son, daughter and wife gave emotional victim impact statements.

Bull’s widow, Mary Louise, told Vallee her soul and spirit were broken, and their hearts hollow.

“I am so lost without my John,” she said. “It makes me so angry and sad that I will never again hear his voice or his laughter.”

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Vallee was behind the wheel of a dump truck that failed to stay in its lane while heading into a curve on Quarry Road on Feb. 5, 2021.

The court heard the dump truck crossed the centre line and crashed into Bull’s oncoming GMC Jimmy, killed the 60-year-old man instantly.

Justice Susan Healey found Vallee guilty in March, concluding he was speeding in the moments before the crash and failed to slow down enough heading into what the judge called a drastic curve in the road.

Bull was a respected business owner and mechanic, married to his wife for nearly 40 years. He was a lover of classic cars and his family.

“I am only half a person now,” his widow told the court. “He died alone. The pain of not being able to say goodbye or say ‘I love you’ one last time breaks my heart.”John Bull, 60, of Severn Township, was killed in a collision on Quarry Road on Feb. 5, 2021. (Supplied)

Bull’s children described for the court the emotional, psychological and physical trauma they’ve suffered following their father’s death.

“He was my rock. He was my calm. He was my peace,” Bull’s daughter, Justine said. “I was the true definition of a daddy’s girl.”

She went on to tell the court about having to explain to her children their papa was gone.

“There is a void in our family where our dad used to be, and there is no way to fill it,” she added.

His son, Michael Bull, described being at the scene of the crash, and having to take over the family business without his role model and father by his side.

When Vallee addressed the court he offered an apology to Bull’s family.

“I stand here today with a heavy heart. I am deeply remorseful for the tragic accident that resulted in the loss of a life,” he said. “I understand that no apology can undo the harm that has been done.”

Despite the Crown arguing for Vallee to spend up to three years in jail followed by a 10-year driving ban, Justice Healey handed him a conditional sentence under house arrest for two years less a day, plus two years probation, and a six-year driving ban.

Vallee will also have to fulfill 150 hours of community service. "This must be part of taking responsibility or making amends," the judge noted.