The family of a man killed in an alleged road rage incident made a tearful plea Wednesday for aggressive drivers to stop acting irrationally behind the wheel.
Tony Greco, a 55-year-old married father of three, was killed instantly when he was ejected from his SUV just after 5 a.m. Tuesday on a stretch of Canada's busiest highway.
Wayne Winsor, 39, is alleged to have slammed on the brakes after pulling in front of Greco on Highway 401, causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash just west of Toronto.
Greco's family, grief stricken as they arrived at a Milton, Ont., court for Winsor's bail hearing, were further anguished when he was released.
Greco's sister-in-law, Gina Mancini, said the family “wants this rage stopped.”
“Please, it has to stop. We have children on the roads everyday, there is absolutely no need for this,” she said through tears.
“If justice is (done) the law will do the right thing for Tony Greco.”
The family has had to deal with five deaths in the past 13 months and can't believe they've lost Tony in such a senseless way, said brother-in-law Gerry Mancini.
“The worst part of this all taking place is it could have been avoided,” he said.
Inside the court, Winsor looked sullen and slouched in his seat as he was granted bail.
A publication ban prevents the media from reporting on any evidence in the case.
Winsor left the courthouse through a side door.
Although the Crown called it a tragic case with high stakes they agreed to grant Winsor bail, noting he didn't have a criminal record.
But Crown attorney Brian O'Mara emphasized that Winsor faces serious charges; criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing death.
“The charges laid are among the most serious offences you can commit while driving a motor vehicle,” O'Mara said outside court.
“These are driving offences that involve a fatality so obviously the stakes are very high in terms of sentence.”
Someone convicted of criminal negligence causing death faces a possible life sentence.
Under his bail conditions, Winsor must live with his mother and he cannot drive or even sit in the driver's seat of a car.
Winsor, who turned himself in to police several hours after the incident, is scheduled to appear in court July 30.
Police were still canvassing for witnesses early Wednesday at the scene of the crash and said they collected more evidence from drivers who saw the incident.
