A sentencing date has been set later this summer for the 72-year-old woman convicted in the fatal hit-and-run of 78-year-old Fourghozaman “Farouk” Firoozian downtown Chilliwack nearly five years ago.
Linnea Labbee was convicted of the hit-and-run on April 12, 2021 in BC Supreme Court after a trial during which she defended herself.
READ MORE: Crown seeking jail time for 72-year-old Chilliwack woman found guilty in fatal hit-and-run
Labbee was driving south on Mary Street at between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour on Dec. 1, 2016 when she struck Farouk, drove over her body, briefly stopped and looked back, and then drove away.
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| Fourghozaman Firoozian, who was the victim of a 2016 hit-and-run, seen here handing out food to the less fortunate downtown Chilliwack. |
Several witnesses described the hit-and-run on the scene, and while no one could positively identify Labbee when shown a photo of her, Justice Brenda Brown accepted the descriptions, which fairly matched Labbee.
Labbee’s truck also had damage and a piece of it was found at the scene. The victim’s DNA was also found inside the driver’s side front wheel well.
“The only reasonable conclusion is that Ms. Labbee was driving the truck when it struck the victim,” Justice Brenda Brown said in reading her verdict. “I am satisfied that she knew she hit a person. She was reckless as to whether death ensued. She left the scene to avoid civil or criminal liability.”
Labbee’s theory of the crime in her defence was that her truck must have been stolen, the hit-and-run was committed, and the vehicle was returned to where she parked it.
Under section 252 of the criminal code, failure to stop at scene of an accident involving bodily harm or death comes with a sentence up to life in prison.
Labbee’s sentencing date is scheduled for Aug. 10, and Crown has confirmed they will be seeking jail time.
READ MORE: Crown questions credibility of defendant in Chilliwack fatal hit-and-run case
READ MORE: 73-year-old Chilliwack woman charged in fatal hit-and-run defending herself in BC Supreme Court
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