Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Charges Laid in Fatal Bicycle Collision

(Municipality of Huron Shores, Ont.) Just after 6:00 p.m. on Monday 31 July 06, a cyclist journeying across Canada to raise awareness for access to legal assistance, was struck and killed by a vehicle.

Both vehicles were traveling eastbound on Hwy 17 at McAlpine Beach Road when the collision occurred. Preliminary investigation indicates that both vehicles were at the end of a passing lane with a Mini Van following a tractor-trailer. The Van collided with the cyclist as the lane came to an end causing fatal injuries to the cyclist.

The deceased was identified as 65-year-old Dugald CHRISTIE. Christie resided in Vancouver. Christie was a well-known Vancouver-area lawyer and activist for equal access to legal assistance.

Charged Under the Highway Traffic Act – Fail to Turn out to the left to avoid collision with a bicycle is Garfield GARDINER (62) of Iron Bridge. GARDNIER is scheduled to appear in court in Thessalon on September 11th, 2006.

Investigation completed.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES LAID FROM JULY’S FATAL CRASH

Heyden, Ont.,

Officers investigating the fatal crash that took place on Hwy 17 north of Sault Ste Marie on the evening of Saturday 22 July 2006 have laid further charges against the accused.

On Saturday 22 July 2006 police allege that a pick up truck was southbound on Hwy 17 in Heyden, north of Sault Ste Marie. The truck crossed the centerline and struck a northbound motorcycle head on. The driver of the motorcycle, 51 year old Larry Hill of Goulais River, died at crash site.

The accused, 26 year old Sigmund GEBHART of Goulais River had been charged with Dangerous Driving Causing Death. As a result of the ongoing investigation OPP have laid two more charges against Mr. Gebhart.

Mr. Gebhart now faces additional charges of IMPAIRED DRIVING CAUSING DEATH contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada and DRIVE MOTOR VEHICLE WITH NO INSURANCE Contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act of Ontario. Mr. Gebhart will appear in Provincial Offences Court on Sept 6, 2006 to answer to the Insurance charge. He will appear in court on Sept 11, 2006 to answer to the criminal charge.

CAR/DEER MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 638

MacDonald Twp, Ont.,

O.P.P. officers from the Sault Ste. Marie detachment investigated a single motor vehicle collision last night which occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. on highway 638 near Cottage Road.

John Sawer, age 70, of Guelph Ontario was driving his 2007 Toyota car westbound on highway 638 when he collided with a deer that was crossing the highway. No injuries were reported by the driver or passenger in the vehicle. The deer died at the scene.