Following the tragic hit-and-run incident that led to the death of a seven-year-old Ukrainian refugee in 2022, a Quebec coroner is advocating for enhanced safety measures to safeguard pedestrians.
In a recent report, Coroner Éric Lépine attributed the girl’s accidental death to the driver’s failure to fully stop at an intersection, compounded by the blinding morning sun.
Lépine is urging both the city and province to implement measures that improve intersection safety, including considering sun glare as a critical factor in decision-making.
The victim, identified as seven-year-old Mariia Legenkovska, was walking to school with her siblings on Dec. 13, 2022, when a Jeep Grand Cherokee fatally struck her. The driver initially fled the scene but later surrendered to authorities and pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.
Although the report redacts the victim’s name, it highlights the profound impact of her death on the entire Quebec community, sparking discussions on the need to enhance protections for children on city streets.
This article by The Canadian Press was originally published on Nov. 30, 2025.
