Canadian driver guilty in wedding crash

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A Canadian who drove his station wagon into a line of motorcyclists on their way to a wedding pleaded guilty Monday.

Matthew Francis, 27, of Oromocto was fined $2,400 and had his license suspended for four months after entering his plea in Burton provincial court, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. He was charged with driving without due care and attention, and driving without insurance, the CBC said.,

Authorities said Francis had crossed the center line of a two-lane highway Aug. 9, striking five of the 10 motorcycles in the procession. The groom, Frank Bouchard, and his best friend, Alain Belanger, were seriously injured in the crash, which occurred just 20 minutes before the wedding was to take place.

Francis said he was distracted by his daughter, who was riding in the back seat.

Two of the injured motorcyclists, including one man who lost his foot, were in court, but declined to comment.