After a pedestrian collision in Cambridge in December 2025 took the life of a child, the involved driver has now been charged.
A 75-year-old Cambridge man is now facing one count of dangerous operation causing death, and one count of obstructed windshield.
A statement from the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRSP) announced the charges on Jan. 29.
Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle on Cedar Street near Westgate Plaza, over the noon hour on Dec. 11, 2025. A three-year-old girl died in hospital, and a 31-year-old Cambridge woman was left with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The 75-year-old man from Cambridge behind the wheel was not injured in the collision.
A GoFundMe campaign started in support of the family identified the girl as Violet Evelyn Maureen McDonald and the woman as her mother.
WRPS, Inspector, Scott Griffiths told 570 NewsRadio the driver’s windshield was not obstructed by ice or snow, but stopped short of saying what caused the obstruction.
Griffiths said motorists in particular have a responsibility to know what’s going on around their vehicle at all times.
“Before they put their vehicle into motion, before they start maneuvering around, I know it’s tempting to want to get that parking spot or to find your way out of busy lot or a busy private drive, that you take extra care or caution because if there are no sidewalks or designated areas, pedestrians will travel wherever.”
Griffiths also provided more information about the obstructed windshield charge, an uncommon offence.
“It’s deliberately vague because what it wants to encourage or wants to ensure is that, whether it’s clutter on your dashboard or whether it’s things attached to your visors or whatever it may be, the view that you have out your front windshield and out the side windows is as clear as it can be.”
Griffiths added that the way the law is written allows officers to use their discretion when it is warranted, like in this case.
WRPS said there were 19 fatal collisions in Waterloo Region in 2025, resulting in 20 deaths. Seven of those deaths were pedestrians.
In response to the collision, Mayor Jan Liggett said the community is reeling.
“Tragedy from pedestrian fatalities has struck our community for the second time in three weeks. The pain of families is unfathomable, particularly in a holiday season where family gatherings are a major part of the season, loss of loved ones is even more marked,” she said in the statement.
“Our community is a loving one and grieves today at these needless losses of a small child yesterday and a young mother three weeks ago.”