Fatality case could be resolved without trial
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 26, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com A fatality case involving a motorist and two pedestrians may be resolved without a trial, or at the most just a short trial, a judge was told Wednesday in Lethbridge court of justice.Lethbridge lawyer Justin Dean said he and the Crown prosecutor are having early case resolution discussions, which typically are intended to avoid a trial. Failing that, however, Dean believes the defence and Crown will be able to run a trial in less than a day.
“It’s a significant charge; however, we’ve been discussing an abbreviated trial that would bring this down to an agreed statement of facts, and it could probably be concluded in a matter of three hours,” Dean said.
Bobbi Raquel Whillans, 33, is charged with dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
The charges stem from a collision at the intersection of 26 Avenue and 28 Street North about 3 p.m. on Jan. 17. A 66-year-old man died and a 62-year-old woman sustained life-threatening injuries and were taken to Chinook Regional Hospital and later transferred to Calgary by STARS.
Police determined a GMC truck was travelling east on 26 Avenue North, and while turning onto 28 Street struck the pedestrians as they crossed the street in the crosswalk. The driver immediately stopped and called 911.
The matter is scheduled to return to court Nov. 10 to determine the next steps. During a brief hearing earlier in the month, court was told defence had sent the Crown a resolution proposal and was waiting for a reply. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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