B.C. Driver on Trial for Allegedly Killing Toddler and Seriously Injuring Father

Seyed Moshfeghi Zadeh is facing charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and bodily harm after a fatal crash in downtown Vancouver. The incident occurred when Zadeh’s Ford Escape collided with a McLaren, resulting in the death of a 23-month-old girl named Ocean and life-changing injuries for her father, Michael Hiiva. Prosecutors argue that Zadeh drove into the intersection on a red light, causing the multi-vehicle crash. Zadeh has admitted to being behind the wheel but maintains that the crash was an accident. The Crown will need to prove criminality in the case, as neither vehicle involved had mechanical defects, and Zadeh was not impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

Vancouver police Const. Anthony Blackman, the first officer at the scene, testified that he responded to the crash after being flagged down on the street. He discovered Ocean dead with a critical neck injury and Hiiva with broken arms and legs. Zadeh claimed he was thrown from his vehicle during the crash, but there was no significant damage to the Ford indicating how that could have happened. Zadeh told the officer that it was just an accident. Another police officer, Const. John Stewart, testified about the physical evidence at the scene, including the placement of the Ford on the sidewalk and the damage to the McLaren. Stewart described the emotional toll the case has taken on him and provided security video footage showing the moments leading up to the crash.

The court heard testimony from Ocean’s mother, Star Joinson, who observed the proceedings via video link. Joinson shared that Hiiva used a wheelchair for over six months following the crash and sustained broken bones, a collapsed lung, and a lacerated spleen. This tragic incident has had a lasting impact on the family and the community. Prosecutors will need to establish Zadeh’s criminal culpability in causing the crash that led to the death of Ocean and severe injuries to her father. The case will rely on evidence such as witness testimonies, physical evidence at the scene, and security footage to determine Zadeh’s level of responsibility in the fatal collision.

The details of the crash paint a devastating picture of the moment when the Ford collided with the McLaren and rolled over Hiiva and Ocean. Despite Zadeh’s assertion that it was an accident, the prosecution will seek to prove that his actions were dangerous and unlawful, leading to the tragic outcome. The court proceedings have highlighted the severe impact of the incident on the victims and their loved ones, as well as the broader community. The legal process will aim to provide justice for Ocean and her father by holding Zadeh accountable for his alleged role in the fatal crash. The case involves complex legal arguments and emotional testimony, as the court seeks to establish the truth behind the events that took place on that fateful day in downtown Vancouver.

As the trial unfolds, prosecutors will present evidence to support their argument that Zadeh’s actions met the criteria for criminal charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and bodily harm. The lack of mechanical defects in the vehicles and Zadeh’s sobriety at the time of the crash suggest that the collision was a result of reckless or negligent driving. The security footage and witness testimonies will be critical in reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the fatal crash. The legal process will seek to determine the level of Zadeh’s culpability and responsibility for the tragic loss of Ocean and the injuries sustained by Hiiva. The court will ultimately decide the outcome of the case based on the evidence presented and the arguments made by both the prosecution and the defense.