Family of Cape Breton girl killed on her bike disappointed by driver’s parole

The Cape Breton family of a girl who was killed by a vehicle is disappointed the driver has been granted full parole.

Word that Colin Tweedie has been granted full parole after spending just under a year and a half in jail for the hit-and-run death of 10-year-old Talia Forrest in Black Rock, N.S., is not sitting well with the young girl’s family.

“It’s unbelievable. We fought for justice longer than he spent behind bars,” said Halen Williams, Forrest’s first cousin.

Forrest’s family spent months in courtrooms during two trials from the time of the fatal crash to sentencing five years later in July 2024.

Tweedie was convicted of dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving causing death and leaving the scene of an accident. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Williams said his early release sends the wrong message.

“That it’s okay to do what he did because he didn’t spend that much time behind bars,” she said.

In its written decision, the Parole Board of Canada said Tweedie had accepted full responsibility for the young girl’s death and acknowledged panic and alcohol combined to impair his judgement on the night of the crash. The board also said Tweedie had shown remorse and is considered low risk to reoffend.

“I’m glad that it went back for a retrial because he could have gotten off,” Williams said. “I am glad that he did spend the time that he did spend in jail.”

Tweedie is not allowed to drink alcohol or have contact with the victim’s family and he will live with his common-law spouse as conditions of his parole.

During sentencing, Justice Kevin Coady also imposed a two-year driving ban to begin on the date Tweedie is released from custody.

Williams said all the family can do now is try to keep Forrest’s memory alive. She said a new video will be released soon about the young girl’s life and her tragic death that is also a warning about the dangers of impaired driving.

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