A CTV Kitchener reporter who was hit by a vehicle earlier this year, along with her family, has filed a $15.7 million lawsuit.
According to court documents, Stephanie Villella and her family are seeking restitution from the 92-year-old driver who hit her, an unnamed police officer, Guelph police, the OPP and the province.
The statement of claim filed in Guelph court says Villella was walking across the closed barriers at Brock and Maltby Road just after noon on March 1.
"Stephanie was standing within the closed barricade, when without any warning, the defendant Rose's vehicle passed through the barricade and struck Stephanie," reads the statement of claim.
The claim said Villella suffered "extreme injuries, nervous shock, emotional and psychological trauma."
It reads Villella's injuries include a "severe TBI" (traumatic brain injury) with Grade 2 diffuse axonal injury, which required decompressive craniectomy. She also sustained facial fractures, left fibula/tibial fractures, scalp and facial lacerations, a C7/T1 fracture, left pelvic fractures and pulmonary contusions.
Villella was on scene reporting on an earlier crash at that location when a driver reportedly drove around police barricades.
None of the claims have been proven in court and none of the defendants have yet filed a statement of defence.
The Guelph driver charged with hitting Villella stayed at the scene and was later charged with careless driving causing bodily harm.
The full extent of her injuries is unknown, and will continue to be investigated, the claim reads.
As a result, Stephanie "sustained permanent and serious impairments of important physical, mental, and psychological functions."
"Stephanie's ability to work and enjoy the fulfillment obtained from being productive and a contributing member of society and her family has been permanently impaired," the document reads.
The claim says Stephanie will require ongoing assistance and support in the future to complete things like home maintenance and household chores, and will incur expenses.
It said she will also take on health care expenses, including medication, rehabilitation, psychological support, medical treatment, and personal support care.
Villella is also claiming loss of income, career path, earning potential and a diminution in earning capacity.
Included in the claim is that the driver was unsafe, made an unsafe turn, didn't yield to the right of way, was "traveling at an excessive rate of speed" and failed to keep a proper lookout.
It adds the unnamed officer at the earlier crash scene was responsible for securing the roadway after a crash, and the presence of pedestrians within the barricade – including Villella – were "reasonably within the contemplation of" the officer. It claims the officer failed to properly secure the roadway.
As for the police services, the statement claims they are "vicariously liable for the negligence" of the officer. By law, the province is considered responsible for any negligence claims against either Guelph police or the OPP.
