Event and Time
Event Description
On the evening of July 16, 2019, Justin Price was involved in a motor vehicle incident that resulted in serious injury to Christopher Ostler, leading to two charges: negligently causing serious injury and failing to stop and render assistance following the accident.
Application and Claims
- Charge 1: Negligently causing serious injury
- Allegation: Price drove his vehicle onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with Ostler. - Legal Basis: Prosecution argued Price's actions were criminally negligent, falling far below the care standard expected from a reasonable driver.
- Charge 2: Failing to stop and render assistance
- Allegation: Price failed to stop after the accident and did not render assistance to the victim. - Legal Basis: Prosecution needed to prove that Price knew or should have known that a serious injury had occurred.
Judicial Decisions
- Price pleaded guilty to both charges.
- The court considered the agreed statement of facts and circumstances of the offending when determining the appropriate sentence.
Dispute Points and Legal Basis
Dispute Points
Prosecution:
- Claims: Price's driving was negligent, with a clear failure to uphold a reasonable standard of care, given he was involved in a confrontation with Ostler moments prior to the collision.
- Arguments: Price's acceleration and maneuvering of the vehicle just prior to the collision indicated a disregard for the risk of hitting someone.
- Evidence: Witness statements regarding the altercation, the accident scene's conditions, and the extent of Ostler’s injuries.