Close X
Monday, October 14, 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

Wind warnings and power outages expected for coastal BC

Wind warnings and power outages expected for coastal BC
People living along the central coast, most of coastal Vancouver Island, the southern Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast should expect strong winds and potential power outages today.  

Wind warnings and power outages expected for coastal BC

Free Day pass program being offered to 3 BC parks

Free Day pass program being offered to 3 BC parks
Beginning May 6th, a reserved day pass will be needed to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, about 30 kilometres east of Pemberton. The program expands on June 14th when reserved passes will also be needed for Golden Ears Provincial Park and specific trailhead parking lots in Garibaldi Provincial Park.  

Free Day pass program being offered to 3 BC parks

Organizations urge Province to create housing roundtable to tackle the housing crisis

Organizations urge Province to create housing roundtable to tackle the housing crisis
They say including housing experts — along with government and Indigenous leaders — in the development of housing policy will ensure a more thorough review and head off unintended consequences of any new legislation.  

Organizations urge Province to create housing roundtable to tackle the housing crisis

New West Police working on action plan in response to recent shooting

New West Police working on action plan in response to recent shooting
One man was hurt and two people are in custody after police say a suspect approached a group, pulled out a gun and fired several times before fleeing. Chief Dave Jansen says in a statement that, in light of other recent events in the downtown core, it's time to act because he says he's been told people feel unsafe in the area.

New West Police working on action plan in response to recent shooting

Canadian Tire broke privacy laws on facial ID technology, privacy commissioner says

Canadian Tire broke privacy laws on facial ID technology, privacy commissioner says
Twelve Canadian Tire stores were using the technology for about three years, saying it was needed for theft and staff safety, but the systems were removed and the information destroyed when the commissioner notified the chain that four stores were under investigation. 

Canadian Tire broke privacy laws on facial ID technology, privacy commissioner says

Canada nowhere near target of planting 2B trees by 2030

Canada nowhere near target of planting 2B trees by 2030
The Liberals first made the massive tree-planting promise during the 2019 federal election campaign and followed through with a 10-year 3.2-billion-dollar budget for it in 2020.

Canada nowhere near target of planting 2B trees by 2030