Ontario man faces multiple charges in car crash that killed Ann Arbor woman
A 27-year-old Ontario man faces multiple charges in the car crash Saturday that left a 44-year-old Ann Arbor woman dead and her 8-year-old daughter injured, according to a Windsor Star report.
Carolyn Dutta
From Facebook
It was not clear how the crash occurred, but police told the Windsor Star that Rickett's pickup crashed into the SUV in which Carolyn Dutta of Ann Arbor and her family were riding at Walker Road and South Talbot Road in Tecumseh, Ontario.
Carolyn Dutta was fatally injured in the crash, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said her husband Suman Dutta was driving, Carolyn was in the passenger seat, and their three children were in the back. The oldest child, Esme, 8, was initially taken to Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit for emergency surgery for her critical injuries, according to reports. She was transported to University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor early Monday and is in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Suman Dutta and the other children, ages 2 and 5, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said in a news release posted on the Essex County Ontario Provincial Police website.
Tecumseh OPP did not return messages left Monday and Tuesday for comment on the crash.
John Baldoni, the Duttas' next-door neighbor in Ann Arbor, told AnnArbor.com that the neighborhood was in shock when word of Carolyn's death spread. "Everybody was quite moved and wanted to reach out," he said.
Baldoni said Carolyn Dutta was an outgoing and personable mother whom he often saw around the neighborhood with her children.
"We will sadly miss her," he said. "She touched all of our lives and will not be forgotten."
Nie Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements. A visitation for Carolyn Dutta is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Liberty Road Chapel, 3767 W. Liberty Road in Ann Arbor. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Liberty Road Chapel.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
Contact Julie Baker at juliebaker@annarbor.com or 734-623-2576. Follow her on Twitter @juliebakera2.
Comments
kay
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
What a loss for these young precious children. So sad.
RJA
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
WHAT?? Released on a promise to appear at an up-coming court date? I'm sorry, I just don't get it. My heart goes out to the Dutta familu and friends.
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.
Preventable if we had tougher laws. So very sad.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
Unfortunately, scientific studies have proven that lack of self control can be corrected through training - but lack of self control cannot be changed by passing laws. Lack of self control is really the conviction that one can satisfy a desire without having to wait, play by rules or accept any obstacle to self gratification. And they resist the training I mentioned. Such people have a much higher rate of alcohol abuse, criminal activity and poor job performance than the general population. Certainly, the accused in this case fits that profiles.
Barb
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
Not sure this sort of tragedy can ever be completely prevented, sadly. I wish it were true that laws could always keep this from happening.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
"It was not clear how the crash occurred, " it seems odd that police can't figure this out.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.
It also seems odd that they will charge the truck driver with "causing bodily harm and causing death...".... if... "It was not clear how the crash occurred, "
Are you serious?
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
How about some information on what the penalties are for drunk driving in Canada?
Julie Baker
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 12:05 a.m.
A fact sheet from the Department of Justice Canada includes some information on penalties for impaired driving. <a href="http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pcvi-cpcv/id-cafa.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pcvi-cpcv/id-cafa.html</a>
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 : 12:04 a.m.
This is information I was given by courtesy of reader YpsiLivin when I asked the same question yesterday...... Canadian and US laws are both based on the British legal code. Both provide the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven. The maximum sentence for a death resulting from impaired driving is life in prison, but most actual sentences aren't that stiff. The maximum sentence for causing injury (not death) is 10 years, but again, that's the max an not the norm. The law provides for an automatic suspension of a driver's license and a waiting period of as much as 5 years to get it back, depending upon the circumstances.
RuralMom
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
Not 100% certain on it, however I do know that if you get an impaired driving here in the U.S., you cannot get into Canada if they find out about it! Its a long process to fight it too. So let's hope they have a nice long sentencing for this kind of offense.
Roadman
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
Yet another tragedy involving criminal charges of driving while impaired causing death. My sympathies to all involved.