Woman charged in fatal collision to stand trial this Spring

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on February 17, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 33-year-old woman facing two charges in relation to a fatal collision with a pedestrian a year ago, is set to stand trial later this Spring.

Bobbi Raquel Whillans will stand trial May 6 in Lethbridge court of justice, on charges of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm, to which she pleaded not guilty last November.

During a brief court hearing earlier this month, the Crown said he expects the trial to be brief and only comprise an agreed statement of facts, a short video and arguments by counsel.

The Crown and defence had previously discussed the possibility of resolving the case without a trial, but Lethbridge lawyer Justin Dean later said a trial would proceed, although take less than a day.

“It’s a significant charge; however, we’ve been discussing an abbreviated trial that would bring this down to an agreed statement of facts, and it could probably be concluded in a matter of three hours,” Dean said during a court hearing last October.

Whillans’ charges stem from a collision at the intersection of 26 Avenue and 28 Street North at about 3 p.m. on Jan. 17 of last year. A 66-year-old man died and a 62-year-old woman sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital and later transferred to Calgary by STARS.

Police said a GMC truck was travelling east on 26 Avenue North, and while turning onto 28 Street struck the pedestrians as they crossed the street in the crosswalk. The driver immediately stopped and called 911.