Accused drunk driver faces more charges

A Cape Breton man is facing a charge of criminal negligence causing death after a six-year-old boy struck by a car died from his injuries.

Paddy Brogan, 57, also faces a charge of impaired driving causing death, Cape Breton Regional Police said Tuesday.

"These are the most severe charges in this level of investigation," said Staff Sgt. Paul Jobe.

Joshua Penny and his brother were ridingtheir bikesaround Florence the evening of Sept. 27when,witnesses reported, a car drove onto the sidewalk andhit Joshua, dragging him onto the street. His brother was not hurt.

Pennywas taken to the IWK children's hospital in Halifax, where he remained in a coma until he died on Oct. 6.

Brogan was initially charged with impaired driving and failing a breathalyzer.

The case prompted a woman in Florida to launch an onlinepetition calling for Brogan to facemore seriouscharges.

Debby Carter, whoheard about Penny's death from a friend in Sydney, had almost 2,000 names on a petition last week.

But policesaid Tuesday it took investigators several weeks to gather evidence, plus they waitedto interview grieving family members.

"Basically the delay is with the amount of technical information we have to obtain with regards to an accident, also the sensitivity for the family and the other people involved," said Jobe.

The family of the young boy is not commenting on theadditional charges.

Brogan is scheduled to appear in court onDec. 5. He has been released from custody but must follow a numberof conditions, including staying away from alcohol.