Marco Muzzo's mom extends condolences to family of Vaughan crash victims

The family of Marco Muzzo, theman facing impaired driving and other charges in connection with Sunday's crash in Vaughan, Ont., that left four family members dead, issued a statement todaythatextendscondolences to thefamilies of the victims.

The statement released by Muzzo'smother Dawn Muzzoreads: "We are all greatly saddened by yesterday's tragedy and express our deepest sympathy andcondolences to the Neville, Lake and Frias families. We would ask for the co-operation of themedia in respecting the privacy of our family during this very difficult time."

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MarcoMuzzo, 29, of King Township, faces 18 charges, including four counts of impaired driving causing death.

The crashhappened when anSUV driven byMuzzocollided withaminivancarryingsix members of the Neville-Lake family.

All three children in theNeville-Lake family died:Daniel, 9, Harrison (Harry) 5, and Milly, 2. Theirgrandfather,Gary Neville, 65, was also killed. The children's grandmother and great-grandmother are recovering in hospital.

Muzzo appeared Monday in a Newmarket, Ont.,court. Heis from one of Canada's wealthiest families, worth $1.7 billion, according to an estimate early this year fromCanadian Business. The family owns Marel Contractors, based in Vaughan, Ont.

Muzzo'snextcourt date is Friday.

His late grandfather, also named Marco, amassed wealth as a developer and owner of a large contracting company before his death in 2005.

The grandfather also headed the Pemberton Group, a condominium developer with projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Driving infractions

The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General says the younger MarcoMuzzohas seven driving offences under the Highway Traffic Act, including a conviction for driving while usingahandheld device. They are not criminal offences.

The offences occurred inthe Torontoarea, from Richmond Hill to Newmarket to Orillia and Mississauga, the ministry said.

His lawyer, Rudi Covre, said he was unaware of the driving offences,but does not believe they will affect the criminal case.

"There may be a minimal role that they play, but I don't thinkthere will be any impact," he said. "A lot of kids, a lot ofpeople have traffic tickets."