Wrong-way Highway 11 driver acquitted in 2018 serious head-on crash
An Orillia man responsible for causing a head-on collision when he drove the wrong way on Highway 11 four years ago, sending a woman to the hospital with life-altering injuries, has been acquitted.
Michael Grelowski, 41, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm after driving his SUV south in the northbound lanes on April 11, 2018, crashing into another vehicle.
Jennilynn Reed was in that vehicle with her two children.
Reed suffered several injuries, including a shattered pelvis, a ruptured diaphragm, and multiple broken bones, leaving her unable to walk without the use of a cane. One of her kids was injured in the crash but has since recovered.
During the trial, Grelowski's lawyer reasoned his client, who has type-one diabetes, was in a state of neuroglycopenia – a medical condition that left him unaware of his dangerously low blood glucose level and unable to correct it.
Witnesses testified seeing a black SUV travelling erratically along the highway through Orillia on the evening of the crash.
- Orillia man may have suffered medical condition prior to 2018 crash: Expert
- Crown rejects diabetes expert testimony in wrong-way crash trial
The Crown had argued that Grelowski ignored signs of his blood glucose dropping and made a conscious decision to drive that day. She added he failed to test his blood sugar level before getting behind the wheel.
Justice Boswell said he was satisfied with expert testimony that Grelowski was "confused and disoriented," causing him to get on the highway going in the wrong direction, swerving and passing several vehicles.
Calling Grelowski a "candid witness," Justice Boswell said he believed Grelowski's blood sugar fell "too quickly for him to do anything about it," and he was "completely unable to appreciate the risk he was taking."
Meanwhile, Reed said she's disappointed with the decision and has since filed a civil lawsuit against Grelowski.
"Financially, it's ruining us," she said, adding she feels he has yet to take the matter seriously.
"The fact that the guy thinks it's a joke is a whole other thing that bugs me," she said. "Don't take this as a joke. It's something that you should apologize for."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.