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- calendar_today November 1, 2026
Supreme Court Orders New Trial in Vancouver Crash Case
The Supreme Court of Canada has mandated a new trial for Seyed Moshfeghi Zadeh, the man involved in a 2021 collision in downtown Vancouver that resulted in the death of a toddler and severe injuries to her father.
Background of the 2021 Vancouver Crash
The incident occurred on July 6, 2021, at the intersection of Smithe and Hornby streets in downtown Vancouver. According to the Supreme Court ruling, Zadeh drove through a red light that had been red for approximately 20 seconds. His vehicle collided with a sports car before coming to rest on the sidewalk.
Victims Identified in the Collision
Twenty-three-month-old Ocean was with her father, Michael Hiva, on the sidewalk at the time of the impact. Ocean was killed, and her father sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision.
Initial Trial and Legal Proceedings
Zadeh was acquitted in 2024 of charges of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The original trial, overseen by Judge Kathryn Denhoff, determined that Zadeh's three-to-five-second lapse of attention did not constitute a marked departure from the standard expected of a reasonable driver. The court concluded this did not meet the threshold for dangerous driving as required by law.
Appeal and Supreme Court Decision
The British Columbia Court of Appeal subsequently upheld Zadeh's acquittals. However, the Supreme Court of Canada has now overturned those decisions, ordering that a new criminal trial be conducted. Details provided in the Supreme Court ruling highlight the facts of the red light and lack of braking prior to the crash, prompting renewed judicial scrutiny of Zadeh's actions and responsibility in the deadly traffic accident.
Next Steps in the Case
With the Supreme Court's decision, the legal process will continue as a new trial is held to reconsider the charges and evidence. No dates for the new trial have been announced at this time.
Related coverage
Source: globalnews.ca.
