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MONTREAL – An online petition asking for leniency for Emma Czornobaj, who was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death in a highway crash, has collected more than 7,200 signatures.

“Some people agree with Ms. Czornobaj’s gesture and some disagree; either way I hope most people will agree that sending this young woman to jail is too much,” said the author of the petition on the website change.org, whose username is DJ Xfile. The petition is addressed to Quebec Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée.

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Another petition on the same website to acquit Czornobaj has gathered fewer than 100 signatures.

On June 27, 2010, Czornobaj stopped her Honda Civic in the left-hand lane of Highway 30 in Candiac to help a family of seven ducklings out of harm’s way. Seconds later, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle – driven by André Roy, 50, and carrying his 16-old daughter Jessie – crashed into the back of the car. Both died in the collision.

On June 20, a jury found Czornobaj guilty of two counts of criminal negligence causing death, which carries a maximum life sentence, as well as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. The latter sentence carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The sentencing phase of her trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 8.