EXCLUSIVE: Kanata cyclist testified in tears
Ottawa woman is the only one to recall the 2009 crash seriously injuring four of five cyclists
CBC News
Posted: Oct 20, 2011 10:49 AM ET
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2011 12:59 PM ET
Robert Wein, left, and Cathy Anderson are both still recovering from a crash July 19, 2009 that left the cyclists and their three friends seriously injured. (Laurie Fagan/CBC)
Related
Related Links
Cathy Anderson is the only cyclist with any memory of the devastating crash on July 19, 2009 that left her and four friends seriously injured. She appeared as a key witness for the Crown Attorney in the case against the driver who hit the group of cyclists.
In an exclusive interview with the CBC's Laurie Fagan before the trial ended, Anderson spoke of the day the five cyclists were struck by a van while riding along March Road. The van was driven by Sommit Luangpakham.
Luangpakham, 47, was found guilty Thursday on all five counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and five counts of leaving the scene of an accident.
The five cyclists were hit on March Road in July 2009 by a van driven by Sommit Luangpakham. CBCLuangpakham testified he fell asleep at the wheel and said he thought he struck a post and not the cyclists.
Of the five riders, only Anderson can remember being hit and she is the only cyclist who took the witness stand during the trial.
Anderson cried during her testimony as she talked about how the crash left her emotionally scarred. The 47-year-old's partner, Robert Wein, was also cycling in the group.
Wein was knocked unconscious and suffered a serious brain injury that left him in a coma for months.
"It was very emotional to have to recall it in front of the other victims what I recall from the accident, but I was willing to do that and push through the emotional side of it," said Anderson.
Anderson injured pelvis, elbow in crash
Anderson was in the back of the pack when the van hit her, breaking her pelvis and shattering her elbow in eight pieces.
'You know we still have a long way to go in terms of recovery and progress and this will provide an opportunity to do that.'—Cathy Anderson
Anderson and Wein listened to all the testimony. She said they are both relieved that the trial has come to a close.
"Putting something behind you allows you to open up space ahead of you," said Anderson.
"You know we still have a long way to go in terms of recovery and progress and this will provide an opportunity to do that."
With files from the CBC's Laurie FaganShare Tools
Latest Ottawa News Headlines
- Kenyan runner sets new Ottawa marathon record
- Kenya's Laban Moiben set a new record Sunday for the Ottawa race weekend marathon with a time of 2:09:12. more »
- Fire causes $2M in damage at banquet centre
- The West Carleton Weddings and Banquets Centre sustained $2 million in damage early Sunday morning following a fire. more »
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- Family, friends honour teen killed in school explosion
- Family and friends paid tribute Saturday to Eric Leighton, the 18-year-old student killed in a shop class explosion one year ago. more »
Top News Headlines
- Canadian Pacific strikers face back-to-work legislation
- Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is prepared to end the Canadian Pacific Railway strike if necessary, after both CP and the union rejected a proposal for voluntary arbitration by the government-appointed negotiator on Sunday. Raitt says she is "extremely disappointed." more »
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- The UN Security Council condemned the Syrian regime at an emergency meeting Sunday, holding president Bashar al-Assad's military responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people, dozens of whom were children younger than 10 years old. more »
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children who had been missing for nearly four years were found in Mexico after a man raised concerns about his neighbour, according to a private investigator. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- Kenyan runner sets new Ottawa marathon record
- Para Transpo bus crashes into hydro pole, tree
- Birds attack Ottawa joggers
- Fire causes $2M in damage at banquet centre
- Family, friends honour teen killed in school explosion
- Quebec students, government to resume talks
- 4 arrested during Gatineau protest against Bill 78
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

