Family calls for justice as Sudbury, Ont., swimmer’s death goes through courts
CBC
A family from Sudbury, Ont., is still reeling from the death of 52-year-old Sylvia Donato as the man charged in her death proceeds through the court system.
On Aug. 1, 2025, Donato was struck by a motorboat while she was swimming in Lake Nepahwin, a popular lake in the heart of Sudbury.
Her husband, Randy Donato, said she was swimming near the shore at the time with a partner, and they both had bright buoys attached to their hips to make them visible in the water.
After the crash, 67-year-old Waide Lambert was charged with operating a vessel in an unsafe manner under the Canada Shipping Act.
Violations of the act can result in fines or imprisonment.
But Donato’s family wants to see criminal charges as well.
At a hearing at the Provincial Offences Court in Sudbury on Thursday, a lawyer representing Lambert agreed to a Crown pre-trial — an off-the-record meeting between the Crown and defence to determine if the case should go to trial.
A subsequent public hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Donato said a provincial offences court didn’t feel like an appropriate venue for a case about his wife’s death.
"Quite frankly, I feel it's humiliating that the loss of someone's life is in with people that drive without insurance or went on a bender,” he said.
“Disrespectful is probably a pretty good word too."
Sylvia Donato’s father, Paul Donato, said his daughter’s death has been traumatic.
"My life is totally changed,” he said. “Sometimes I'm so depressed now I just don't really care about living."
Sylvia Donato was a science teacher at Lockerby Composite School in Sudbury. Her father said she was beloved by her students and supported initiatives such as the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance.
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