LaSalle Driver Found Not Criminally Responsible After Causing Injuries and Damage
A woman who caused significant destruction while driving through LaSalle last year, resulting in injuries to two pedestrians and damage to several vehicles, has been declared not criminally responsible for her actions. The ruling was delivered at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday by Quebec Court Judge Pierre Labelle.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Kianna Mariah Sam, a 34-year-old resident of Lachine, was facing six criminal charges related to the November 4 incident. The decision came after a joint submission by the Crown and defence lawyer Vanessa Sadler, who represented Sam throughout the legal proceedings. Judge Labelle ordered that Sam remain detained at the Douglas Hospital, where she will receive psychiatric treatment to determine when she can be safely reintegrated into society.
The judge emphasized that Sam's detention at the psychiatric facility is necessary for ongoing evaluation and care, with medical professionals monitoring her progress and assessing her readiness for potential release in the future.
Details of the Erratic Driving Incident
According to court records, the chaotic sequence of events began when a motorist exiting Highway 20 noticed Sam driving a leased Dodge Journey erratically. At the intersection of Clément and des Oblats Streets, the witness observed Sam's vehicle running a red light at high speed while traveling westbound on Clément Street. The Journey subsequently collided with the witness's vehicle as it was making a turn, prompting an immediate 911 call.
The dangerous driving continued as Sam's vehicle proceeded to Jean-Milot Street, where it mounted a sidewalk and struck a parked car. The Journey then hit a third vehicle before running through additional red lights and stop signs without slowing down. Multiple witnesses reported seeing the vehicle ignore traffic signals throughout its destructive path.
Pedestrian Injuries and Final Collisions
The situation escalated when Sam's vehicle struck two pedestrians who were unable to avoid the approaching car. One victim, a woman from France, suffered broken teeth and continues to experience difficulty eating, with medical professionals recently informing her she may require dental surgery. Unfortunately, she lacks insurance coverage for the procedure in Quebec. The second pedestrian reported ongoing back pain following the incident.
After hitting the pedestrians, Sam continued driving to Dollard Avenue, where her vehicle struck another car before finally coming to a stop after colliding with two additional vehicles parked outside a restaurant. Police investigation revealed these last two vehicles actually belonged to Sam herself.
Arrest and Mental Health Assessment
When Sam exited her damaged vehicle and attempted to enter another car parked at the restaurant, bystanders intervened and restrained her until Montreal police arrived minutes later. Officers making the arrest noted that Sam displayed "several symptoms" of mental illness according to their observations and subsequent reports.
Defence attorney Vanessa Sadler informed the court that Sam has no memory of the damage she caused during the incident. During a previous hearing on February 16, Sadler revealed that Sam initially refused to accept a psychiatrist's finding of not criminally responsible and insisted on proceeding to trial, which would have lasted seven days. The defence requested additional time to help Sam understand and accept the psychiatric assessment.
Current Status and Treatment
Following her arrest, Sam was initially deemed unfit to appear in court, but her condition has since improved significantly. "Now Ms. Sam is doing much better," Sadler told the court. "After discussions with the psychiatrist, she still has some insights to make about the disorder she might have, but the psychiatrist says her family feels they have the old Kianna back."
Sadler acknowledged the emotional difficulty for her client, stating: "For her it is very hard to admit that she hit people." The defence attorney expressed hope that Sam can build upon her current progress during her continued treatment at Douglas Hospital, where psychiatric professionals will monitor her recovery and determine appropriate next steps for her care and potential reintegration.
