June 19-20 edition
Page A1
DRIVERS NOT GUILTY OF STREET RACING
Louie Rosella
Staff
The Mississauga News
Two Mississauga drivers charges with street racing causing an expectant mother to lose her unborn child have been acquitted of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Alexandru Bejinariu, 20, left Superior Court Friday with his family after Justice Hugh Atwood found him not guilty on four counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, in a tragic accident in July 2002.
Bejinariu was found guilty, however, of failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and will be sentences July 14. the man‚’s lawyer, Gary Batasar, said his client was, “delighted and elated”with the judge‚’s decision.
“From the very beginning, my client remained his innocence. My client has maintained he was never even involved in a street race,”said Batasar Friday. “The judge‚’s decision had vindicated Mr. Bejinariu.‚Äö√Ñ√π
In the July 8 crash, Mississauga couple Alexei Zoubkov, 34, and hiss common- law partner Galena Shelepen, 21, were waiting to make a left- hand turn at the Dundas St. W. and Winston Churchill Blvd. intersection when a 1986 Pontiac Firebird, driven b y a 16- year- old male, crashed into them.
Zoubkov sustained minor injuries, while Shelepen, who was six months pregnant, underwent an emergency caesarean in hospital, which was unsuccessful. She also suffered a broken arm and other minor injuries.
The driver of the firebird went to hospital with several injuries, along with a passenger in his car. But days later, police charged the driver with three counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
In February of this year, the accused teen, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was also acquitted on all counts.
Peel Regional Police said witnesses reported a Firebird was racing with Bejinariu’s Chrysler Intrepid, which they said managed to drive through the intersection untouched. Police say Bejinariu turned himself into police a day after the accident.
Batasar said the charges against Bejinariu have been difficult on him and the family.
“His parents immigrated here and worked very hard to give him a good life,”said Batasar.” Mr. Bejinariu wants to put this behind him, go to (post secondary school) school and continue with his life.
The failure to remain charge, did however, teach Bejinariu a lesson according to Batasar.