On November 14, 2023, 14-year-old Seryn Lazzaro, Who was an only child, was walking near Trenton Christian School in Quinte West when she was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene. That driver, Dean Potter, received a conditional sentence of just three months under curfew and nine months of house arrest.

This sentence does not reflect the gravity of the crime or the value of Seryn’s life. It sends a dangerous message about accountability and justice in Ontario.

Why This Matters to Me Personally:
Seryn’s family are people I care about deeply. I’ve known them for many years, and our lives have been closely intertwined through friendship, support, and shared experiences. I’ve had the privilege of being a daycare provider within the family, as well as for many of Seryn’s friends. These children aren’t just part of my work—they’re part of my heart and part of the community I’ve helped nurture.

Seryn’s loss is not distant. It’s personal. It’s devastating. And the sentence handed down in her case does not reflect the value of her life or the pain her loved ones carry. I’m launching this petition to honor her memory and to stand with her family in calling for justice that truly protects and respects our children.

Relevant Facts and Statistics:

• In Canada, impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of motor vehicle deaths and injuries, despite years of public awareness campaigns Canadian Cen....
• In 2021, police laid an average of 215 impaired driving charges or suspensions per day, yet impaired driving causing death was at its lowest recorded level—just 66 cases nationwide madd.ca +1.
• Ontario had one of the lowest rates of police-reported impaired driving, but sentencing outcomes vary widely, and many families feel justice is not served torontodui.com.

We, the undersigned, call on Ontario’s Attorney General and provincial lawmakers to:

• Review sentencing guidelines for fatal hit-and-run cases
• Introduce mandatory jail time for impaired drivers who flee the scene
• Ensure victims’ families are meaningfully represented in sentencing decisions

Justice should be more than a formality. It should reflect compassion, accountability, and the safety of our communities.

Please sign and share this petition to help us Honor Seryn’s memory and protect others from similar injustice.