New trial to be set in pedestrian fatality case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on May 14, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A new trial will have to be scheduled for a 33-year-old woman facing charges in relation to a fatal collision with a pedestrian more than a year ago.

Bobbi Raquel Whillans was set to stand trial a week ago, but it was adjourned to allow more time for the Crown and defence to iron out some details and reach an agreement on certain facts that would result in an “abbreviated three-hour trial.”

Whillans pleaded not guilty in November to charges of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

The charges stem from a collision at the intersection of 26 Avenue and 28 Street North about 3 p.m. on Jan. 17. A 66-year-old man died and a 62-year-old woman sustained life-threatening injuries and were 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.

The Crown and defence had previously discussed the possibility of resolving the case without a trial, but during a subsequent court hearing Lethbridge lawyer Justin Dean said a trial would proceed but 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 Oct. 25.

The matter is set to return to court on May 15 to speak to scheduling a new trial date.

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