Ann Arbor woman killed, daughter in fair condition after Saturday crash in Ontario
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the condition of the 8-year-old daughter.
An Ann Arbor woman was killed Saturday and her 8-year-old daughter is in fair condition after an alleged drunken driver struck their SUV near Tecumseh, Ontario, The Windsor Star is reporting.
Carolyn Dutta, 44, was traveling around 2:30 p.m. with her husband, who was driving, and their three children. The oldest child, Esme, 8, was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery, according to the report.
Dutta died around 10 p.m. at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital. Police told the Star that husband Suman Dutta and two other children, ages 2 and 5, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.
The 27-year-old man driving the pickup has been charged with impaired driving. He suffered only minor injuries, the report said. Police told the Star the crash is under investigation, and more charges may be pending.
Memorial arrangements with Nie Funeral Home in Ann Arbor were not yet finalized Monday afternoon.
Read the full Windsor Star report.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
Contact Julie Baker at juliebaker@annarbor.com or 734-623-2576. Follow her on Twitter @juliebakera2.
Comments
Tony Dearing
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
I would like to clarify our conversation guidelines regarding stories involving tragic death. We ask people not to speculate on what might have caused accident, while the facts are not yet clear. Speculative comments have been removed. At the same time, some comments have now been posted that do not seek to speculate or imply who might have been at fault, but ask commenters not to presume guilt on the part of the alleged drunken driver who has been charged. Anyone charged with a crime has a right to the presumption of innocence, and comments that defend the presumption of innocence are allowed under our guidelines, as long as they don't seek to place blame or to speculate on who is at fault. That being said, those points have been made, and given that the facts in this case remain unclear, we would ask people to refrain from additional comments that are not based on already established facts.
DBH
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
I offer my condolences to the family and friends of the Dutta family. Such sudden deaths are wrenching for all concerned, and a reminder that life is fragile. Most of the commenters seem to be making the assumption that the truck driver was responsible for the accident. While it might be true, it is not a known fact, particularly given the apparent circumstances. While trying to decide why most of the commenters continue to blame the truck driver and call for charges (e.g., attempted murder) that seem out of proportion to what appears to have occurred, I came across this article which may shed some insight: <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140627.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140627.htm</a> . Most humans do not like ambiguity.
LaMusica
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
DBH...I believe readers, myself included, assumed that since the article pointed to the fact that the truck driver was impaired, which implied he was at fault. As more info has come to light, pointing to the fact that it may not have been the truck driver at fault. I perhaps should not have jumped to conclusions, but the original story made it seem as if the truck driver was at fault. Full disclosure: I do have personal bias and zero tolerance for drunk driving that may have also contributed to my quick assumptions.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
I had a comment deleted earlier that provided a couple links. One to pictures of the accident scene as they were provide by the Windsor Star. and one of a Google street view of the intersection. Also a quote from "steve" mentioned as the first person on the scene. If one looks at the background of the accident pictures in the Windsor Star and looks at the Google streetview of the intersection and couples that with the quotes from "steve" one can begin to develop some information not provided to date by the story.
Sooze
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
This is such a tragedy for what sounds like a lovely family. This is an all too familiar story, so dreadful and sad. Too many people have been devastated by the actions of drunk drivers and too many survivors still mourn. Killing of innocent people, even "by accident," deserves firm and appropriate punishment. Will Canada show us the way?
Doug
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.
I hope their laws are tougher than ours. My thoughts go out to the Dutta family.
jns131
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
As I always say?A photo of the dead they take should go on the wall of their prison for all the days of their lives. Good luck to the family.
LJ
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.
I had the absolute pleasure of knowining the Dutta's. Carolyn was the most genuine and loving person you could ever meet. She was a huge supporter of me when I was going through a diffucult time in my life. Her and Shuman gave me work painting at their house and not only donated to my defense fund but campaigned for me to their friends. I hope that time will heel their wounds but we all lost a terrific friend, wife, and mother.
RJA
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
This is so very sad. My heart goes out to the family of Carolyn. I certainly hope her daughter recovers fully. I have nothing to say about the impaired driver. (it wouldn't be printed)
madnailer
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
I had the pleasure of working for Suman and Carolyn. She was just such a very genuinely nice person and a great mother. This is such a terrible tragedy to a very very nice family. My thoughts are with you Suman and the kids.
justcurious
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
I have the Dutta family in my thoughts today. Please don't drive after drinking.
dotdash
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
Carolyn was such a lovely woman and loved her children so much. It is a tragedy for them to grow up without her. My heart goes out to them all.
swcornell
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.
This why I believe drunk drivers should be charged with attempted murder!
jns131
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
Canada is much tougher on DUI then they are in USA. I remember hearing something about it when we were in Ontario for a few weeks.
Roadman
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
Yet another tragedy involving a impaired driver. Good luck to the Duttas. I wish them well.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
This took place in Canada. I sure hope the penalties for killing a person while drunk driving are more severe then the USA. I understand that in most other Countries they are. If I am correct, I think in Turkey you are risking a life sentence if you are caught driving drunk. Please follow up on this story. In the USA we are considered innocent until proven guilty. Does anyone know if this is the standard in Canada?
jns131
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
Canadian law may be based on the British code, but they are tougher then USA on DUI then the USA judges are. I know they are a pain with animals left in cars and crying children. Trust me, I never want to deal with them again.
walker101
Tue, Jan 3, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
First Offence When found guilty of a first offense, the minimum fine is $600, that's the lowest you can go. A judge can give you more, but that's the lowest fine. The lowest driving prohibition is one year minimum. Unfortunately Canadian law is very liberal, even if goes to jail it will be with very limited restrictions.
YpsiLivin
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Canadian and US laws are both based on the British legal code. Both provide the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven. The maximum sentence for a death resulting from impaired driving is life in prison, but most actual sentences aren't that stiff. The maximum sentence for causing injury (not death) is 10 years, but again, that's the max an not the norm. The law provides for an automatic suspension of a driver's license and a waiting period of as much as 5 years to get it back, depending upon the circumstances.
LaMusica
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
It's always the innocent that pay for drunk drivers' selfishness and stupidity. My heart aches, it ACHES for this family. This driver better be charged with manslaughter.
LaMusica
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
*Or vehicular homicide...I don't know how these cases work, he just better be charged with this poor woman's death.