David Finkelman's parents urge drivers to slow down

The parents of David Finkelman, the 27-year-old killed while crossing Whyte Avenue in January, urged drivers in the city to slow down.

"It was noon hour, there was little traffic, and the weather was clear," said Steve Finkelman,​ following the sentencing of the driver Wednesday. "The driver who hit David didn't see him until it was too late.

"We know it wasn't intentional but that doesn't change the fact that our son is dead because the driver wasn't paying attention." 

David Finkelman, a university student, musician and radio host, was crossing the popular avenue in a crosswalk when he was hit by a car turning left from 101st Street.

He was taken to hospital where he later died.

"We want drivers to think about this before they get behind the wheel, because no one should have to go through the hell we've lived since Jan. 27, 2014, " his father said. 

The faster you go, the less reaction time you have to stop," he said. "When you're driving a one-ton vehicle there is just no room for error."

David's death left a vast hole in their family, with no hope of closure, said his mother Jane Cardillo.

"We go regularly to grief therapists and psychologists," she said. "And that's a word we have been banned from using. They will tell you there's no closure. We won't have closure."

The driver was given a two-month driving suspension and $2,000 fine after she pleaded guilty to failing to yield to a pedestrian Wednesday.

The woman, 19, was originally charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and careless driving.

In a joint submission, the woman's lawyer said she was not speeding, nor was she on her phone. Rather, she simply didn't see Finkelman.

Finkelman played guitar and trumpet with Edmonton band Energetic Action and hosted the Saturday afternoon show “Big A, little a” on CJSR Radio.

His father Steve Finkelman is a retired CBC journalist.