Close X
Tuesday, October 15, 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

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending
To alleviate the pressure of rising grocery prices, the federal government has extended the GST rebate boost offered in the fall. The rebate, which will go to lower income Canadians, will deliver up to $234 to a single person and up to $467 to a couple with two children.

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending

Dental program cost set to more than double

Dental program cost set to more than double
That benefit will be scrapped by June 2024. In its place, Tuesday's budget shows the Liberals are planning a government-administered insurance program, at a cost of $13 billion over five years beginning in fiscal year 2023-24.    

Dental program cost set to more than double

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'
At a March 20 meeting, Smyth took issue with a decision not to livestream advisory committee meetings about an official community plan or release committee members' CVs. Smyth said the move was done in a "very political way," something that was denied by Mayor Peter Jones who said it was a "practical approach" before ending questions.

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame
 Adrian Dix said in January that the government would be investigating why almost 10 per cent of prescriptions for the drug in B.C. were filled for American citizens. Dix said at the time that the dramatic increase in demand for the diabetes drug was partly because of social media "influencers" who spoke about its weight loss benefits.

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame

Unprecedented construction needed in B.C.: Report

Unprecedented construction needed in B.C.: Report
The province must build 25 per cent more new homes than usual for the next five years to address deteriorating housing affordability. The association said construction needs to be ramped up to a record 43,000 housing completions a year for the next five years to counteract rapid population growth.

Unprecedented construction needed in B.C.: Report

Burnaby RCMP seeks man wanted on BC-wide arrest warrant: Manveer Singh Dhesi

Burnaby RCMP seeks man wanted on BC-wide arrest warrant: Manveer Singh Dhesi
28-year-old Manveer Singh Dhesi, who is known to reside in Surrey but spend time in Burnaby, is wanted in relation to several charges including assault, uttering threats, and mischief. Burnaby RCMP is appealing for tips on his whereabouts as investigators work to locate him.    

Burnaby RCMP seeks man wanted on BC-wide arrest warrant: Manveer Singh Dhesi