Two men have been charged after a six-month investigation into the death of seven-year-old Dante Caranci, who was hit by a car while getting off a school bus on a busy rural road in Lambeth in southwest London, Ont.
Police announced the charges against the school bus driver and the driver of the passing vehicle on Thursday.
“A fatal collision involving a child is something no first responder ever wants to attend,” said London police Chief Thai Truong. “This investigation took over six months due to the complexity of the scene reconstruction, the need for judicial authorizations, and an analysis of evidence and technical assessments.”
The driver of the vehicle, Atir Gayyur Mir, a 47-year-old from Milton, was working as a courier and making deliveries, police said. He’s been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.
The bus driver, Jose Lema, 82, of London has been charged with criminal negligence causing death.
Lema didn’t take the proper safety steps, including ensuring that traffic was stopped, before allowing Dante to get off the bus and cross the two-lane highway, according to police.
Reconstruction analysis showed Lema would have seen Mir’s car coming and not slowing down as Dante was getting off the bus, and it’s alleged he should have seen Mir’s vehicle coming, Acting Staff Sgt. Michael Anderson told reporters.
“We send our children to school, expecting them to return home safely,” Anderson said. “The dangers that exist should never result in such a heartbreaking outcome.”
Dante was struck on Longwoods Road on Dec. 16, 2024. He was exiting the bus, which was stopped at the Murray Road intersection, he was hit by the passing vehicle. The driver involved remained at the scene. Dante died the next day.
Police said Thursday that Mir, who was driving a 2023 Honda Pilot, made no attempt to stop for the stopped school bus, which had its side stop sign out and lights activated. The bus driver was also responsible for ensuring safety, they said.
“Bus drivers receive specific training in order to keep the children on their respective buses safe, and it is imperative that they follow this training to avoid tragic incidents such as the one on Dec. 16,” Anderson said.
Dante, a student at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School, has been remembered as a “joyful, radiant child” who loved Lego, teddy bears, Fortnite video games, and playing hockey and soccer.
Neighbours have said cars continue to speed along that stretch of road, including passing stopped school buses.
Charles Bakker is a father of four and a nearby resident who has been pushing for safety upgrades, speed traps, additional signage and rumble strips since Dante’s death.
Bakker said it’s important to focus on the Caranci family now.
“I just want to say that my heart is broken,” he said. “As a parent, I cannot imagine how this has changed the lives of the Carani family. I actually can’t allow myself to even think about the story too deeply because it makes me tear up.”
Mir attended London court on Wednesday, police said. He will make another appearance in August. Lema is scheduled to appear in court in late July.
