Family of Sudbury woman killed in boating crash angry that case is being tried as a provincial offence

The shore of Lake Nepahwin near Stewart Drive after Sudbury police presence was cleared on Aug. 1, 2025. (File)

The family of Sylvia Donato, who died from injuries suffered when she was hit by a boat while swimming in Lake Nepahwin last summer, say they are unhappy that the person driving the boat was not charged criminally.

Waide Lambert, 67, has been charged with operating a vessel in an unsafe manner under the Canada Shipping Act in connection with Donato’s death.

She died in hospital one day after the collision, which took place Aug. 1, 2025. Donato was 52.

“According to witnesses, (the) woman was swimming in open water when it appeared that she was struck by a passing vessel,” police said in a news release at the time.

“The victim sustained significant injuries and received immediate assistance from individuals on scene.”

Lambert’s case returned to provincial offences court Feb. 5, with the next hearing set for March 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Several members of Donato’s family were present at the Feb. 5 hearing. Her husband, Randy Donato, said he is not happy that the case is in provincial offences court.

‘I feel it’s humiliating’

“Quite frankly, I feel it’s humiliating that (a case involving) the loss of someone’s life is in with people that drive without insurance or went on a bender,” Randy said.

“Disrespectful is probably a pretty good word, too ... I think it’s bulls--t, if I’m going to be frank.”

He said he has talked to police about the case, and said they are working “within, I guess, a legislation that’s applicable.”

But he’s hoping that in the end, the consequences “fits what’s happened to us.”

On the day of the collision, Randy said his wife was wearing a fluorescent buoy “that can be seen a kilometre away or more.”

Was an educator for 24 years

She was with her swim partner, who later told Randy that they “were having one of the best swims they ever had.”

The area they were swimming in is also a very common area of the lake that swimmers frequent, he said, and they were in broad daylight.

A graduate of Lockerby Composite High School, and a graduate of Laurentian University with a master’s in science, Donato taught at Lasalle Secondary and Lockery Composite in a career that spanned 24 years.

“She was a long-time member of the Laurentian and Sudbury Masters Swim Clubs,” her obituary said.

“She was also active among the Sudbury fitness community, competing in and volunteering with various Sudbury Fitness Challenge events.”

Her husband, Randy, said he’s holding out hope that justice will be served in this case.

“That’s what’s getting me through this,” he said.

“Out of respect for her, you know, we’ve got to see this through.”