Crown seeks jail time for hit-and-run

Peter James Burrell, 63, of Fredericton, tells court he thought he hit garbage can, not cyclist

A Fredericton man will learn next month if he’s headed to jail for continuing on his drive to work after striking a cyclist with his car two years ago.

Peter James Burrell, 63, of Southampton Drive, appeared in Fredericton provincial court for his sentencing hearing on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident in which someone sustained bodily harm.

Burrell previously pleaded guilty to the Fredericton Police Force charge.

Crown prosecutor Geoffrey Hutchin said Brian Atkinson was cycling along Woodstock Road in the Island View area of Fredericton on the morning of May 13, 2022, when he was suddenly struck by a car, sustaining serious injuries including a blow to the head.