TORONTO, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Michael Bryant, once the top lawyer for the province of Ontario who faces charges in a fatal road-rage incident, has quit as chief executive of Invest Toronto.
"It was a huge honor to serve the city of Toronto by helping to steer Toronto's economy through these remarkable economic times and to put together the framework for Invest Toronto," Bryant said in a resignation statement released Wednesday.
"Let me be clear: I am innocent of the very serious accusations made against me. It would, however, be unfair to you, the (Invest Toronto) board and above all to the residents of Toronto to allow this event to distract from the vital efforts of Invest Toronto."
Toronto Mayor David Miller accepted Bryant's resignation.
The 43-year-old ex-provincial attorney general was charged Tuesday with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death after a Monday night incident, the Toronto Sun reported Wednesday. He will appear in court Oct. 19.
Various local media reported bicycle courier Darcy Sheppard, 33, was angered by the driver of a black Saab convertible and grabbed onto the car. Witnesses and security videos indicated the car then went into the oncoming lane, sideswiping trees and a mailbox to dislodge Sheppard, the Sun reported.
After he fell, the car's rear wheels ran over him, causing terminal head injuries.
The driver then drove a short distance to a hotel before calling police, but wasn't charged with leaving the scene of an accident.
Meanwhile, the Sun reported the cyclist was drunk and had been interviewed by police earlier in the night about the beating of a homeless man. The Globe and Mail said he also was wanted on 61 warrants in Alberta for forging checks.
