Bail denied for accused in 2019 impaired driving fatality

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 24, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A southern Alberta man will remain in custody until trial after he was denied bail Thursday in relation to a drunk driving death more than two years ago.
Wesley Brian Phillips appeared in person in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench Thursday for a bail hearing. Bail was denied and he will remain in custody until his judge and jury trial, which is set to run for three weeks beginning Jan. 30, 2023 in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench.
Phillips, who elected last March to be tried by a judge and jury, faces charges of impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, and failure to provide a breath sample, stemming from a fatal car collision Nov. 25, 2019.
At about 7:15 p.m. a white VW Jetta westbound on Highway 3 collided with a red Ford Escape that was stopped at a stop sign on 51 Avenue in the Town of Coalhurst where it intersects with the highway. Betty Ment, 66, who was the lone occupant of the Ford, died in the collision. The driver of the VW was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary hearing for Phillips was scheduled to run in January, but it was canceled after the Crown filed a direct indictment, which sends Phillips directly to trial without first having a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is normally held to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.
Phillips, who has been in remand custody for about 18 months, had a bail hearing in January, during which court was told his sister was willing to post $1,000 surety. However, Judge Kristen Ailsby refused to release him. Evidence provided during the hearing is subject to a publication ban and cannot be reported.
-with files from Delon Schurtz

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