Earlier this year, Stephanie Villella, a distinguished CTV Kitchener reporter, found herself the victim of a horrifying incident while covering a road crash in the southern outskirts of Guelph. Having now recovered enough to seek justice, Villella, in conjunction with her family, has initiated a lawsuit against numerous parties, including the driver who struck her, an unidentified Guelph police officer, the Guelph Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the province itself. The stakes are high in this case, with the Villella family collectively seeking a sum of $15.7 million as recompense for the damages incurred.
The unfortunate incident unfolded on March 1 at the crossroads of Brock Road and Maltby Road. Amidst handling the news coverage of a different two-vehicle crash, Villella found herself within barriers meant to signal road closure, positioned by the police. Out of the blue, a 92-year old woman in a sedan breached the barricade, hitting Villella and causing her severe injuries. The aged woman is now facing charges of careless driving.
Central to the lawsuit is the assertion that the elderly woman’s vehicle penetrated the road-closed barricade without warning, subsequently ramming into Villella. Furthermore, it alleges that the assigned Guelph police officer fell short in his duty to adequately secure the roadway, with a presumable understanding that the erected barricades were inadequate for keeping residents safe. The lawsuit goes on to argue that he failed in his obligation to effectively direct traffic around the barricaded section.
Subpoenaing multiple parties, the lawsuit implicates not just the on-duty officer, but also the province of Ontario, the Guelph Police Service, and the Ontario Provincial Police, positing them as vicariously liable for the officer’s alleged negligence. It is important to note, however, that these claims have yet to be substantiated in a court of law.
The tragic accident has left Villella with debilitating physical injuries, compounded by drawn-out emotional trauma and nervous shock. The distressing consequences extend beyond her condition, with her family also bearing witness to the severe impact on her work capabilities. Villella’s once prosperous life full of productivity and personal participation in family and societal matters has been irreparably damaged, the lawsuit states.
Furthermore, Villella’s capacity to engage in common activities of daily living alongside recreational, social, household, outdoor, athletic, and employment activities has been compromised significantly. The complaint states that the collision will continue to inflict pain and suffering on Villella, thereby inhibiting her from participating in said activities at her former capacity.
Moreover, the impact of the crash has been and continues to be significant on Villella’s income and career trajectory, posits the lawsuit. It further states that the incident prompted considerable healthcare expenses, including costs for medication, rehabilitation, and personal care. Additionally, Villella had to bear unforeseen costs accruing from emergency travel, personal devices, and other miscellaneous expenditures. It adds that Villella’s family also confronted financial strain owing to travel expenses and lost income while aiding her through her ongoing recovery.
