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Human error behind duck-related road deaths: police

A police investigator says human error was behind the deaths of two people whose motorcycle slammed into the back of a car as the motorist was allegedly helping some ducks.

MONTREAL — A police investigator says human error was behind the deaths of two people whose motorcycle slammed into the back of a car as the motorist was allegedly helping some ducks.

Emma Czornobaj has pleaded not guilty to two counts each of criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing the deaths of Andre Roy and his 16-year-old daughter, Jessie.

Witnesses have said the accused was tending to a family of ducks when the accident occurred.

A Quebec provincial police officer tasked with reconstructing the scene of the accident in June 2010 told the accused’s jury trial today that Czornobaj’s vehicle was parked in the left lane of a busy highway south of Montreal but that she wasn’t in it.

Samuel Beaudet says Roy’s motorcycle was going as fast as 121 km/h at the time of impact and that both victims were wearing helmets that did not meet safety standards.

But the investigator says neither of those factors contributed to their deaths.

A jury composed of 10 men and two women is hearing the evidence.