Jazmin Patenaude’s truck had suspension lifts, oversized tires, and tinted windows. (RCMP photo)
On Feb. 17, Nanaimo RCMP said that 23-year-old Jazmin Patenaude of Nanaimo has been charged with Dangerous Operation Causing the Death of an 85-year-old woman in the parking lot of Woodgrove Mall, 6801 Island Highway N, Nanaimo on March 21, 2024.
The woman had parked her vehicle beside Patenaude’s truck, exited her car, and began walking towards the mall. At the same time, Patenaude exited her parking stall, turned left, and struck the woman, knocking her to the ground.
The charge of Dangerous Operation Causing Death is a serious one. It signifies that the person operating a vehicle, considering all the circumstances, poses a significant danger to the public. In this case, the modifications to Patenaude’s truck, including suspension lifts, oversized tires, and tinted windows, made driving in a crowded parking lot at a busy mall unsafe, said RCMP. These modifications, which were not part of the original design of the truck, contributed to the tragic outcome.
