Family of Ontario man killed in crash speaks out ahead of driver’s trial

The family of Andrew Cristillo says they will be there to fight for his memory and new road safety laws.

The family of an Ontario man who was killed in a crash last August are rallying outside of the courtroom where the driver will stand trial Monday.

“This individual needs to be held accountable to the full extent of the law. What they did wasn’t an accident. It was a preventable, conscious, reckless choice that cost my brother his life and almost killed his whole family,” Andrew Cristillo’s brother, Jordan, told reporters outside the Newmarket courthouse.

“We want to see justice served for Andrew.”

• READ MORE: Family of Ontario father of 3 killed in crash to attend trial of driver

Cristillo, 35, and his family were in their car on Highway 48 last summer when they were hit by another driver, Jaiwin Kirubananthan. Cristillo died instantly.

It emerged that Kirubananthan had previously faced a dangerous driving charge the January before, when he was accused of hitting the vehicle carrying Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Highway 401.

Kirubananthan received a 30-day driving suspension for a Highway Traffic Act charge following the January collision, but he was legally able to drive while awaiting that trial when he allegedly hit the Cristillos.

Cristillo’s family is hoping that a piece of legislation named “Andrew’s Law,” which is making its way through the legislature now, will change that and prevent future tragedies.

“Andrew’s law will make sure that every other Ontarian that uses our roads is safer.”

With files from Jon Woodward