Close X
Friday, October 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

No charges in B.C. 2022 Christmas Eve bus crash that left 4 dead

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Dec, 2023 11:35 AM
  • No charges in B.C. 2022 Christmas Eve bus crash that left 4 dead

The British Columbia Prosecution Service says there will be no charges stemming from a bus crash on an icy highway in the province's Interior last Christmas Eve that killed four people. 

Service spokesman Dan McLaughlin says it reached the decision after the Crown counsel assessing the allegations concluded that the standard for charges had not been met.

The prosecution service guideline says in order for charges to be approved, there must be a "substantial likelihood of conviction" based on the strength of the evidence as well as the public interest being served in a prosecution.

The crash of the bus operated by Alberta-based Ebus happened on Highway 97C, the Okanagan Connector, east of Merritt, when the bus went off the road and flipped on its side. 

Police said extremely icy road conditions caused the rollover, with driving conditions described as "very poor with ice and snow on the road surface along with rain and hail falling."

Four of the 40-plus people on the bus died in the crash, which prompted the Interior Health authority to trigger a code orange response for a mass-casualty event.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. cargo flow should be back to normal in days after port strike, says researcher

B.C. cargo flow should be back to normal in days after port strike, says researcher
The union, which represents 7,400 workers in the job action that began July 1, has not yet commented on the pact. Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said Thursday that the strike that had snarled trade worth billions was over and thanked both sides.  

B.C. cargo flow should be back to normal in days after port strike, says researcher

19-year-old firefighter who died in B.C. is identified by her brother

19-year-old firefighter who died in B.C. is identified by her brother
The firefighter was working on brush-clearing in a remote area where a fire had started. Her team found her pinned under a fallen tree and began first aid, but she succumbed to her injuries after being airlifted to a hospital in Revelstoke.  

19-year-old firefighter who died in B.C. is identified by her brother

Mission stabbing victim dies of his injuries

Mission stabbing victim dies of his injuries
On Thursday, at 6:13 p.m., the Mission RCMP were called to the area of the 32500-block of Lougheed Highway. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 42-year old man, suffering from a stab wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where sadly, he succumbed to his injuries.  

Mission stabbing victim dies of his injuries

Sextortion on the rise in Kelowna

Sextortion on the rise in Kelowna
Mounties in Kelowna are warning about an increase of so-called sextortion targeting boys between the ages of 14 and 17. They say the victims often receive friend requests through popular social media sites, and engage in flirtatious conversations.  

Sextortion on the rise in Kelowna

Unprovoked stabbing lands tourist in hospital

Unprovoked stabbing lands tourist in hospital
The victim, a 28-year-old visitor from New Zealand, was allegedly stabbed from behind by a man not known to him, on the corner of Nelson and Granville just before 8 p.m. He took himself to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Unprovoked stabbing lands tourist in hospital

B.C. residents urged to conserve water as worsening drought conditions parch province

B.C. residents urged to conserve water as worsening drought conditions parch province
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma called on residents, farmers, businesspeople and industrial plant operators to take urgent steps to cut water use. 

B.C. residents urged to conserve water as worsening drought conditions parch province