Woman charged in fatal DARTS crash faces licence suspension, $2K fine

An Ontario judge has ordered a 76-year-old woman to surrender her driver’s licence following a guilty plea in connection with a crash last year that killed longtime DARTS bus driver Sherri D’Amour.

On May 5, 2022, the 49-year-old DARTS driver was picking up a passenger on Main St. West in Hamilton when a Honda Civic went off the road, struck a building and hit D’Amour.

Maria D’Amico, who was operating the Honda Civic, was charged with careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act. She also was served a $2,000 fine and five-year licence suspension.

Police have said D’Amico was not impaired during the crash and ruled out a medical emergency as a contributor.

READ MORE: Friends and family remember DARTS driver Sherri D’Amour

“I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” D’Amico emotionally stated in the courtroom Tuesday.

Bob Collins and Mary McGreevy, the parents of D’Amour, were also in the courtroom to read impact statements.

“I thought her apology was sincere, I wouldn’t question the sincerity of her apology…but the reality is Sherri is not coming back,” Collins said.

The Crown and Frank Genesee, the lawyer of D’Amico, jointly submitted the penalty of a maximum five-year driver’s license suspension, which the judge accepted.

READ MORE: Loved ones of killed DARTS bus driver come together for Hamilton march

“It’s a plea. It’s remorseful. Given the age and lack of record, I consider all factors and accept the submission,” the judge said.

Genesee defended his client D’Amico’s punishment, saying it “effectively is a life suspension.”

He added that D’Amico has no recollection of the incident and evidence suggests she was distracted and “accidentally hit the gas pedal.”

The 76-year-old woman forfeited her driver’s license Tuesday and has one year to pay the fine.

READ MORE: Hamiltonians, councillors call to make streets safer after death of DARTS bus driver