The motorist who hit little Mariia in the Center-South pleads guilty

Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia, 43, pleaded guilty Thursday to fatal hit-and-run for causing the death of little Mariia Legenkovska, 7, who was fatally struck on December 13, 2022 in the Center-Sud neighborhood in Montreal.

The girl, a Ukrainian refugee, was on her way to school with her brother and sister when she was hit by the motorist. Mariia and her family settled in Montreal after fleeing the Russian invasion in 2022.

According to the agreed statement of facts presented in court, Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia was driving his Jeep Cherokee and stopped at the intersection of Parthenais and Rouen streets. There was a blinding sun at this intersection, which was noted by the camera images of a bus parked in the right lane at this location.

After stopping, the motorist apparently looked to the left, but perhaps not to the right. While crossing the intersection, he heard an impact at the rear of his vehicle, but saw nothing in his mirrors.

Instead of stopping to check, he continued on his way and therefore did not help the child. He even went to the dentist, and it was when he heard the news about an accident that had occurred at this intersection that he realized that he might be responsible.

He then presented himself at a police station in Longueuil, in the company of his ex-partner, and legal proceedings were then initiated.

The prosecution and defense recommended a sentence of 12 months to be served in the community, which would be consistent with case law in similar cases.

Mariia’s mother told me that she was satisfied with today’s audience. She was awaiting the guilty plea. In fact, this is what will allow him to begin his mourningexplained Me Sylvie Dulude, prosecutor for criminal and penal prosecutions.

It was important for [la mère] to hear the accused plead guilty to the offence. She was able to note that Mr. had not engaged in any reprehensible behavior before the hit-and-runadded Me Dulude.

The defense lawyer, Mr. Éric Coulombe, reminded us that every diligent driver has the responsibility to stop when he thinks he has hit something or someone.

Through a translator, Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia expressed all the remorse he felt regarding this tragedy. From the depths of my being, I regret the pain I unintentionally caused you. I commit to carrying your daughter’s memory with me and honoring her lifedid he declare.

What he told the family is that he hopes to be forgiven. It’s coming to get him. Mr. Becerra comes from Mexico, wanting a better life, he decided to immigrate to Canada, like the family [de la petite Mariia]said Me Coulombe.

It’s extremely sad, there is a family who lost a young girl. You saw Mr. Becerra, who has two children, who left everything in Mexico to be able to have a better lifeadded the defense lawyer.

As a child, also 7 years old, Mr. Becerra Garcia was himself hit by a car while leaving his house, we learned in court. His father-in-law also died in a similar road accident.

With information from Valérie-Micaela Bain