A young man who sped off when his vehicle was being swarmed by attackers told court Wednesday he didn’t know he had run over and seriously injured a 15-year-old girl.
Sean Alan Woods, 20, of the Clive area, is charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
The second day of the Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench trial continues today with an anticipated closing argument and decision from Justice Paul Belzil.
Woods was charged on Oct. 2, 2009, after the victim had two large bones in a leg broken during an outdoor house party in the Eastview area about 10 p.m.
The victim, who can’t be identified because she was a youth at the time, testified she was “pretty drunk” when she left the backyard of the residence to attend the front of the house where someone said there was a fight.
Any information that could identify a youth who is either a witness or an accused in a criminal proceeding is also banned under the Criminal Code.
She said there was a group of about seven or eight people who were punching, kicking and yelling at people in two vehicles.
One of the vehicles contained about five people while a 1995 Dodge Avenger driven by Woods had three in it.
The girl, who is now 17, started crying when she attempted to recall being run over..
She said metal rod was placed in her leg for about a year and she endured three surgeries including a skin graft.
Today, the leg pains her when it’s cold or damp.
A 16-year-old male who didn’t have anything to drink watched the scene unfold.
He said the attackers kicked and punched the vehicles and swore and uttered threats at the vehicle occupants.
He said the incident last about 20-30 seconds before Woods drove partially up on the curb.
The 16-year-old said three people were struck by Woods’ vehicle including two who just received glancing blows.
The injured girl ended up on a cement walkway.
“He was going pretty quickly.
“It was like he floored it as fast as he could to get out of there,” the youth told Crown prosecutor Jason Snider.
Woods testified he was standing outside his car talking to other people when six or seven young males aged about 18-20 rushed at them wanting to fight.
He said the attackers told the people in the vehicles they had one or two minutes to get going.
The group from the first vehicle took off but not before Woods’ cousin was punched through an open window and their vehicle kicked and punched, he told defence lawyer John MacNaughton.
Woods said he was scared for his safety so he took off quickly.
He said he couldn’t back up because another vehicle was behind him.
There was at least one attacker on the driver’s side.
He agreed he “pretty much floored it to get out of there.
“I didn’t know I hit anyone,” he said.
Snider asked Woods why he didn’t drive slowly ahead so people in his path would get out of the way.
“I didn’t want to drive slowly at that point,” said who also noted his horn didn’t work.
Woods said he never looked to his right where the three people were struck.
“Is it fair to say you were so focused on the driver’s side you didn’t see” (people on the right side of the car)?, Snider asked.
“You panicked,” Snider said.
“In a way,” Woods replied.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com