Driver sentenced four years in September hit-and-run that killed loving mother and friend
Victoria Lockhart was out for a walk, less than a block from her home, when a speeding car mounted the curb and hit her.
The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe had been travelling about 115 kilometres an hour on Mount Albion Road near Hixon Road, more than double the 50 km/h limit. The 55-year-old beloved mother, wife and friend - known as Vicki - was propelled onto the road and later died in hospital.
In March, the driver, 52-year-old Christopher Mulligan, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and fleeing the crash scene. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to four years in prison and handed a lifetime driving ban. After credit for time served in pretrial custody, he has about 38 more months.
Before sentencing Mulligan, Ontario Court Justice Amanda Camara heard from numerous friends and family of Lockhart, who was universally described as kind, funny and hard-working. She was a City of Hamilton employee who developed a sisterhood with her events family," she loved to garden and share a glass of wine with friends, and she brought joy to everyone's lives.
Lockhart's husband and teenage children - who were her world - were so overcome by grief they did not attend the sentencing.
Their silence here today is a reflection of their extreme pain and loss," assistant Crown attorney Brian Adsett told court. Lockhart's friends described the family's home, once so full of colour and joy, as being shattered and dark.
The conclusion of this case comes at a time when Hamilton is reckoning with an increase in fatal pedestrian crashes. The sentencing happened April 5, the same day Brandon Aubert was sentenced for hitting and killing 11-year-old Jude Strickland and the same day renowned conductor and Hamiltonian Boris Brott was killed in another hit-and-run.
This collision was not an accident, it was totally avoidable," Adsett said of Lockhart's death.
Court heard Mulligan was speeding excessively" northbound on Mount Albion, heading toward Hixon, on the evening of Sept. 14, 2021 when he lost control and mounted the sidewalk, hitting Lockhart, before the car hit a concrete barrier. Mulligan initially got out of his car and approached a witness before he ran off.
I wandered into the woods where I sat for a full night in shock, scared and confused," Mulligan told court. Two days later, he turned himself in to police.
Mulligan said he was cowardly to flee the scene. He said he's not making excuses, but he explained he had previously been a passenger in a car crash where he held someone as they died. He believes that may have contributed to his actions.
I'm so sorry for your loss," Mulligan wept, adding that he wasn't going to ask family or friends for forgiveness. Mulligan said he takes complete responsibility for his actions and, sobbing, said he never meant any harm.
Defence lawyer Ian Bingham told court Mulligan has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, but he was not taking medication at the time of the crash. Mulligan works as a tradesman and was described as hard-working and a good father.
He has a 22-year-old son with autism and also has two stepchildren he parents with his partner. She described Mulligan as the type of father who cheered her daughter on at soccer games and quizzed her for school tests and taught her son to tie his shoelaces.
There is goodness in him," wrote another friend in a character letter, adding that the person he was in the moment of the crash was not his true self.
Mulligan has a criminal record that includes two past convictions for impaired driving and one for over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood. Court heard he had ordered two beers at a bar before the crash that day, but it was not alleged that impaired driving played a role in the fatal crash.
Adsett read a victim impact statement from Lockhart's brother Tim, who told court his sister had always been there for him as a kid and as they dealt with family illness and loss.
When my sister was injured by you, I was not there to help her," he said, calling Mulligan cowardly for running and hiding.
Numerous friends submitted victim impact statements describing Lockhart as their sister," and someone they relied on for advice, support and laughter.
Shelley Merlo recounted the years of their friendship since meeting at the City of Hamilton in 1993. They had been through it all together: marriage, children and life. Lockhart's daughter turned 16 just two days after her mom's death.
I am dearly missing your sharp wit, how you kept me on my toes," she said.
She described her Vicki" as someone always up for a good prank, the leader of the pack, with an infectious laugh and passion for everything she did. Above all, she loved her kids.
Friend Vavielle Schlachter, who met Lockhart in university, recounted their younger years together living as roommates, moving from New Brunswick to Ontario, sharing magical" summers of fun.
Lockhart should be here to admire her garden, should get to retire with her best friend (her husband), should be able to sit on her deck and enjoy a glass of wine.
She should be here, but she's not," she said.
Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com