Stinellis inquest recommendations

[projekktor id=’18268′]

A jury has recommended speed bumps be installed at construction sites, as part of their verdict in a coroner’s inquest into the death of Luigi Stinellis. The 59-year old was working as a flag man on Hamilton mountain when he was hit and killed by a drunk driver in November 2010. The father of 3 was thrown more than 30 metres when 69-year-old Ivan Opat drove his van through traffic barrels hitting Stinellis and a front end loader. The jury heard Opat was under the influence of alcohol at the time, he died of cancer before his case could go to trail.

While a coroner’s jury cannot find legal responsibility, Stinellis’ children say it brings some closure to finally have public acknowledgment that his death was the result of a drunk driver. “He wasn’t just a flag man on Nebo road, he was a father, a grandfather, a husband. A very loving and caring individual.” Says Stinellis’ daughter Evelina Cino. The 5 members of the coroner’s jury determined Luigi Stinellis’ death was an accident.

Testimony showed Opat was driving over 75kms per hour in a 60 at the time but that speed wasn’t the only contributing factor to Stinellis’ death. In their verdict, the jury made 3 recommendations: that ontario municipalities explore the feasibility of temporary speed bumps on construction sites with corresponding signage and the feasibility of posting and enforcing reduced speeds in work site zones at the time of commencement of the project. The jury also recommended the ministry of transportation enact legislation to make changes for speed reduction in construction zones.