Four Teens Arrested In Egg Throwing Incident That May Cost A Girl Her Sight
Posted September 27, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was a thoughtless act that left a youngster fearing she would lose the sight in her right eye.
And now Peel Police have kept a promise to her family by arresting the people they believe are responsible for the senseless act.
Cops used some good detective work and a lot of tips from an outraged public to track down the pranksters they accuse of hurling an egg from a van last Saturday night.
Twelve-year-old Olivia Ross-Fitchner and her mother Janet were out walking their dog near Hurontario and the QEW when a van came roaring by, a door opened and one of the fragile oval projectiles came flying out.
It hit the youngster in the eye, leaving it a bloody mess and the child with a loss of vision.
Cops had only a hazy description of the vehicle and not much else.
But angry residents who saw the story in the media responded with a flood of tips and that led police to an arrest late Tuesday night.
Two suspects were collared at their homes in Mississauga. A third turned himself in a few hours later, while cops detained a fouth person late Wednesday afternoon.
Olivia’s distraught mom remains infuriated at the stupidity of the act but grateful for the public’s help.
“I didn’t know if there would be an arrest,” she admits. “I really thought there probably wouldn’t be, but because of the media and because of all of the helpful people who called in, they have been able to make arrests.”
The child’s father is equally appalled. “I don’t think anything could make you angrier than someone attacking your child,” he fumes. “So I think you want some measure of justice.”
Two eighteen-year-olds, Justin Sacrey and Jason Crane, and two 17-year-olds are charged with aggravated assault. They were released on what police term ‘strict conditions’ and will be back in court on October 6th.
Meanwhile, Olivia has had more good news – doctors have examined her injured eye and some sight has returned, leaving physicians hopeful she’ll make a full recovery.
