Quebec police officer acquitted in 3rd trial since fatal 2012 crash

A Quebec provincial police officer who's now had three trials for his role in a fatal high-speed crash in 2012 has been acquitted.

Franois Laurinwas acquitted Friday on the initial charges of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm in the collision that killed 25-year-oldric Romprand seriously injured hisgirlfriend Marie-ve Boss.

The veteran Sret du Qubec(SQ) officerhad been rushing to theMontebello Rockfestto help a person in distress when his cruiser struck the vehicle carrying Rompr and Boss near Papineauville, Que.

At the time of the crash, Laurin was driving about 180 km/h, or roughly twice the 90 km/h speed limit along that stretch of Highway 148.

In a Gatineau courtroom Friday, JusticeGaston Paul Langevinsaid the officer's actions fell withinthe range of what's consideredan acceptable police response to such a call.

He noted Laurin sped up to pass the other vehicle because he believed it was pulling over. Instead, the vehicle driven byRomprsuddenly turned left into Laurin's path.

A long legal saga

In 2017, Laurinwassentenced in 2017 to one year in jailafter being found guilty of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

The Quebec Court of Appeal quashed the conviction the following year, claimingthe judge had failed to properly analyze whether Laurin's actions were truly dangerous, and ordered a new trial.

In 2019, hewas instead found guilty on a simple dangerous driving charge. Both sides appealed the Crown to try for conviction on the original charges, and the defence for a full acquittaland an appeals court ordered this third trial in 2022.

There is a 30-day window to appealFriday's decision.