Prosecutors say evidence not enough to meet criminal standard in fatal McGill Road crash – Kamloops News

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The BC Prosecutor’s Office offers little explanation as to why no criminal charges are being pursued in connection with a collision that killed a Thompson Rivers University student-athlete and seriously injured two of his teammates.

On November 29, 2023, a black Dodge Ram pickup truck crashed into several trees along McGill Road. before crashing into the back of a Volkswagen Jetta He stopped at a red light on University Drive.

Three members of the TRU men’s volleyball team were inside the Jetta: Owyn McInnis, Riley Brinnen and Owen Waterhouse. McInnis died, while Brinnen and Waterhouse suffered serious injuries.

After a long and “Complex” police investigationMounties sent their findings to the Kamloops Crown attorney’s office.

On Monday, prosecutors informed people close to the team that no criminal charges would be filed and the alleged driver would be fined under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Colval Shaquille Abbinett, 29 years old, faces one charge each driving without due care and attention and driving without reasonable consideration, offenses under the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act.

Standard not met?

Ann Seymour, acting communications advisor for the British Columbia Prosecutor’s Office, told Castanet Kamloops that no criminal charges were laid because “the charge assessment standard for Criminal Code offenses was not met.”

That charge assessment test has two parts: whether a prosecution is in the public interest and whether there is a substantial likelihood of conviction.

“As the matter is now before the court, the British Columbia Prosecutor’s Office will not be making any further comment at this time,” Seymour said when asked for more details about the Crown’s decision.

He also said the Crown will not comment on his conversations with law enforcement agencies.

Castanet’s attempts to contact the Kamloops Crown office were referred to Seymour.

Investigators don’t show cards.

Police decline to say what charges they recommended to prosecutors. When Castanet Kamloops asked if police were recommending criminal charges, all RCMP Supts. Jeff Pelley would say his detail “conducted a criminal investigation” into the collision.

When asked if there were problems with the investigation, Pelley said it was a question for prosecutors.

“We have conducted a criminal investigation and have made our recommendations regarding charges,” he said. “Crown counsel evaluates that and makes a determination on the appropriate charge.”

Meanwhile, the parents of the victims They have launched a letter writing campaign calling on the Crown to reconsider the criminal charges.

Chris Brinnen, a retired Mountie and father of Riley Brinnen, said Abbinett was expected to be charged with the Penal Code the crimes of dangerous driving resulting in death and dangerous driving resulting in bodily injury.

From his point of view, he said he believes the evidence is there.

“An individual was speeding, traveling on a sidewalk, knocking down trees and hitting other vehicles and it got to a point where he went airborne and landed on our children’s car,” he said.

“In my experience, there is more than enough evidence to at least start this fight.”

Brinnen and Waterhouse still recovering

Brinnen and Waterhouse suffered serious injuries. Brinnen suffered spinal cord damage and Waterhouse suffered a brain injury, but both have made great progress in their recovery.

Waterhouse on the shoulder first service ceremonial duties at a WolfPack game on Nov. 1 and Brinnen learned to walk again.

TRU has established the Owyn McInnis Memorial Men’s Volleyball Athletic Awardwhat was awarded this year for the first time.

The penalty for the charges Abbinett faces is typically a fine of $368, up to a maximum of $2,000. A driving ban is also on the table.

He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Kamloops provincial court on Dec. 23.