A judge denied a plea deal for a Ukrainian immigrant who caused a fiery crash in Vaughan, citing public safety over immigration concerns.

A Ontario judge has rejected a plea deal offering Vitalii Chubyrko, a Ukrainian immigrant, a conditional discharge for dangerous driving after he crashed into another vehicle at a red light in Vaughan, causing a fire and injuries. Justice Joseph Kenkel ruled the proposed probation without conviction was not in the public interest, citing the crash's severity, impaired driving risks, and York Region’s history of drinking-and-driving fatalities. Though the defence argued the deal was needed to protect Chubyrko’s immigration status and included a three-year driving ban and interlock requirement, the judge stated immigration concerns cannot justify a sentence that undermines public safety or sentencing principles. The case will return on January 8 for further proceedings.