Driver Charged With ‘Careless Driving Causing Death’ After Vegan Advocate Killed

A 28-year-old male from North Perth, Ontario, has been charged with Careless Driving Causing Death under the Highway Traffic Act following an investigation into the death of vegan advocate Regan Russell.

The man, who currently remains anonymous, will be required to appear in court – according to a statement from Halton Police.

The media release also states there are ‘no grounds to indicate this was an intentional act, or that a criminal offense had been committed’.

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This is an extremely dark moment for our community. Yesterday, Regan Russell was killed. ?? ?? She was at Fearman’s Pork slaughterhouse with @torontopigsave for a regular vigil. During these vigils the activists have an agreement with the slaughterhouse where the trucks stop outside for 2 minutes, so the activists can approach and give the pigs water and show them some comfort (animals in transportation are not given access to any water for up to 36 hours).?? ?? However, one of the truck drivers ran Regan over and killed her. ?? ?? Her last moments were spent showing compassion towards the non-human animals that society turns away from. ?? ?? Her last moments were spent caring for the most vulnerable.?? ?? Her last moments were spent standing up for what’s right. ?? ?? When you stand outside of these slaughterhouses you hear animals screaming for their life. You see horrific suffering and unimaginable pain inside those trucks. But Regan didn’t ever turn away, she was there every week for the pigs. ?? ?? She stood up against injustice and used her voice to raise awareness about the suffering of others since 1979. We must now use our voices to amplify this same message, to pay our respects to Regan, to honour her memory and to stand up for those who are suffering.?? ?? Regan was killed just a few days after the agricultural gag (“ag gag”) law, Bill 156, was passed in Ontario. Bill 156 exists to prevent activists from filming animal suffering on farms and during transport, making it illegal to do so.?? ?? Rest in peace Regan, I’m so, so sorry. #savepigsforregan

A post shared by Earthling Ed (@earthlinged) on Jun 20, 2020 at 3:05am PDT

‘Keep fighting the fight’

At around 10.20 am on June 19, 65-year-old Russell, who was a long-time member of Toronto Pig Save, was pronounced dead after she was reportedly struck by a transport truck.

“She died fighting for what she believed in,” life partner Mark Powell told The Hamilton Spectator, “Whatever it cost, she would pay … Sometimes it’s money. Sometimes, it’s this.”

Powell added that he views the death as an accident, stating: “We can’t let the cause she was fighting for become lost in a fog of outrage. Keep fighting the fight, but don’t be angry. Get the word out.”

The Halton Regional Police Service says it ‘extends its sincerest condolences to the friends and family affected by this tragedy’.