79-year-old who drove into girl guides, killing 8-year-old in London, sentenced to house arrest

The 79-year-old London, Ont., woman convicted of driving her car into a troop of girl guides, killing an eight-year-old girl and injuring seven others in 2021, was sentenced Tuesday to two years less a day of house arrest, followed by three years of probation that includes a driving ban.

However, the full terms of the sentence, including the house arrest, is on hold pending an appeal filed Friday by McNorgan’s lawyer, Phillip Millar.

Petronella McNorgan, a retired teacher, was convicted in April of one count of criminal negligence causing death and seven counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. 

A publication ban is in place to protect the identity of the victims.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Pamela Hebner delivered the sentence at the London Courthouse. 

The courtroom was packed with family members of the victims, including the mother and father of the eight-year-old who died. Her parents and others who attended in support of the victims declined to comment after the sentence was handed down.

McNorgan drove her Honda CRV westbound through the intersection of Wonderland Road and Riverside Drive at high speed on the evening of Nov. 30, 2021, reaching speeds of 121 km/h.

The vehicle clipped the back bumper of a Jeep stopped at a red light and struck a light pole. It then slammed into a group of guides and their chaperones as they walked on a sidewalk toward a nearby green space to make snow owls.

Seven other troop members who were walking with the group suffered injuries, some of them life altering. 

As part of the sentencing hearings in June, the parents of the eight-year-old gave victim impact statements on the pain of losing her. 

As well, McNorgan read a letter of apology in court, saying, “I would like you to know that I never would intentionally hurt anyone.”

‘Something missing’ in apology, judge says

In delivering her sentence, Hebner said she took into account that McNorgan had no criminal record and was a productive member of the community. Previously in court, Millar had read 57 letters of support of McNorgan that were written by family and friends.

However, the justice said she also was troubled that McNorgan’s apology to the court in the spring didn’t fully acknowledge her actions. 

“The letters were moving and obviously heartfelt, but it struck me that something was missing,” said Hebner. “McNorgan didn’t acknowledge that she did this. She expressed sorrow for what happened, as opposed to what she did.” 

For example, Hebner said, she was troubled about McNorgan’s use of the word “accident” in her interview with her probation officer.

“I see her refusal to accept full responsibility as an aggravating factor,” Hebner said. 

Hebner said McNorgan “must never drive again,” but the five-year driving ban included in her sentence is “at the limit of my jurisdiction.” 

McNorgan will be 84 when the sentence and prohibition conclude.

The house arrest allows McNorgan to leave her residence for medical appointments, attend church, meet with her lawyer and shop once a week for essentials.

The Crown had requested four years in jail, while the defence was seeking probation of two years.

While the sentence includes house arrest, it won’t take effect until the appeal of the conviction is handled.

Lawyer gives reasons for appeal

Millar explained reasons for the appeal to reporters, saying it was filed in part so McNorgan would avoid jail time if incarceration was part of Hebner’s sentence.

Millar said McNorgan is a cancer survivor who has diabetes and provides care for her elderly husband. 

“From my perspective, to put her in jail could kill her,” he said. 

However, even though his client avoids incarceration, Millar said he wants to make legal arguments to challenge similar cases whereby a negligent action could lead to jail time when the accused didn’t intend to cause harm.

Millar said bail conditions in place while the appeal goes ahead will lift the house arrest, but still include a driving ban.

“Obviously there’s some relief that she’s not going to prison,” he told reporters.

Millar said the driving ban is reasonable but McNorgan, who goes by Ronnie, continues to insist her vehicle’s brakes failed to work properly that night. Evidence provided by experts during the trial show the accelerator was pressed down while the car went through the intersection and the brakes weren’t touched.