Guelph woman charged in crash that injured CTV reporter

PUSLINCH – An elderly Guelph woman has been charged in the crash here two months ago that seriously injured a local journalist.

CTV News Kitchener reporter Stephanie Villella was at the intersection of Brock Road North (Wellington Road 46) and Maltby Road when she was hit by a sedan on March 1 at about 12pm.

She was covering a serious crash that morning about a kilometre southeast of the intersection, near Fox Run Drive.

At the time of the incident, CTV identified the victim as Villella, a reporter with the TV news station for more than five years.

According to CTV, witnesses say the driver of the car that hit Villella “appeared elderly” and the reporter “was within the road closure area when the car came through, striking her.”

Villella was transported to a trauma centre by ambulance with what police described as “serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.”

On April 29 the OPP announced that Thelma Rose, 92, of Guelph, was charged with careless driving causing bodily harm.

She is to appear in Guelph court on July 19.

Since the crash, CTV has released very few details on Villella’s condition.

In an April 30 article, CTV stated only that she “is recovering from her injuries.

“CTV News continues to respect her family’s wishes for privacy at this time, sharing updates only with her family’s consent.”