Distracted driver fined $12,500 for killing cyclist in Hamilton in 2022

Brian Woods, a 52-year-old cyclist was killed in July, 2022 by a distracted driver. The motorist’s punishment? $12,500 fine and 100 hours of community service. The driver pleaded guilty to careless driving on Monday.

An officer and a kid almost got killed by a motorist and cyclists can relate

Woods was riding to work at the mall when he was struck by the driver. On an early Tuesday morning, emergency services and police were called following reports of the collision. According to Hamilton Police, both the cyclist and the vehicle were headed northbound.

At a memorial service in 2022, family and friends remembered Woods, but also called for improved infrastructure. There was a ghost bike placed to remember the cyclist.

“Loving and kind, always there for his family. They need to get some protection here because it’s extremely dangerous,” Kelly Bailey told the Hamilton Spectator, who knew Woods’ family for 27 years.

“It’s pretty awful to meet this community this way, but hopefully more people will come together and build infrastructure and safe ways for people to cycle for pleasure or work,” Andrew Palombella, a Hamilton cyclist. “It’s nice to see all these people here to pay their respects to Brian and hopefully we don’t have to do this again.”

“Rest in peace, Dad” and “Brian, our community supports you,” read signs by the ghost bike.

“I think there is a distinct lack of biking infrastructure in Hamilton and it’s pretty evident when you come up to the mountain here,” cyclist Iain Scouter said. “There are only two bike lanes for the stretch of the whole mountain. How can people get around safely if there are no bike lanes?”

In court, the driver admitted he was “looking for his cigarettes” before he hit and killed Woods.

David Shellnutt, a.k.a The Biking Lawyer, attended the sentencing. He also heard the victim impact statements by family of friends of Woods. “What is clear from today’s sentence is that careless driving, as was exhibited by Mr. Ferrera, has huge ramifications for entire communities. 10 victim impact statements were read aloud to a teary courtroom. The words of Mr. Woods’ 11-year-old daughter will forever haunt me,” he tweeted.