Motorist, 70, pleads guilty in cyclist’s 2016 death
Dangerous driving plea pre-empts trial, other charges expected to be dropped
A 70-year-old man accused of mowing down a cyclist on a highway southeast of Edmonton in 2016 admitted to dangerous driving causing death in an Edmonton courtroom Wednesday.
Philip Wasman was charged with dangerous driving, refusing to provide a breath sample and impaired driving — all causing death — after 61-year-old Allan Bruce Chappell was hit by a vehicle while riding his bike in Strathcona County on May 20, 2016.
Wasman strained to hear the clerk as she read the charge of dangerous driving causing death, to which he pleaded guilty. He stood in the prisoner’s box in the Edmonton Court of Queen’s Bench, his brow furrowed, wearing an orange jumpsuit after being arrested for failing to appear Monday for the start of what was supposed to be a 14-day trial. His lawyer, Greg Worobec, said the Crown intends to drop the other two charges after sentencing, set for Jan. 25.
According to an agreed statement of facts read in court, Wasman was travelling on Anthony Henday Drive around 6 p.m. May 20, the Friday before the Victoria Day long weekend.
A witness observed him driving erratically in his 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, going well over the speed limit and weaving between lanes.
The witness said Wasman nearly missed the Highway 14 exit and had to drive through the triangle separator between the two lanes. He was seen passing other drivers while on the exit ramp, court heard.
Chappell was riding his bike in the service lane and appeared to be crossing Highway 14 when he was struck, RCMP said at the time. Wasman’s vehicle was travelling 160 km/h when he hit and killed Chappell, and the car skidded more than 100 metres before coming to rest in a ditch, court heard.
A witness on scene and a police officer noted the smell of “beverage alcohol” on Wasman, but no other signs of intoxication.
The court expected to hear from seven witnesses during the 14-day trial. But on Monday, Wasman failed to appear in court. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Debra Yungwirth issued a warrant for Wasman’s arrest at the Crown’s request.
Worobec at that time expressed frustration over his client’s absence, and asked the court that he be removed as Wasman’s counsel of record. On Wednesday, however, he said he would stay on as his lawyer.
Worobec told court at the time that his client has trouble processing information, as well as blood pressure issues, and that while they discussed trial dates, Wasman didn’t remember or failed to understand that he had to attend.