Man charged in fatal rollover

A man faces seven charges in relation to the death of a 21-yearold Prince George resident in a single-vehicle rollover in Smithers late Saturday night.

Ashton Michael Lewis, 22, has been charged with impaired driving causing death, criminal negligence causing death, fleeing the scene of an accident, driving with a blood-alcohol level over .08, willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer and breaching an undertaking, all under the Criminal Code, as well as driving while prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Lewis, a Smithers resident, was arrested some time after 11 p.m. when RCMP and ambulance personnel were called to the scene on Railway Avenue in the community west of Prince George.

Police said a vehicle holding three people went off the road and rolled into a ditch. The Prince George resident, whose name was not provided, was ejected from the vehicle and died shortly afterwards in hospital while the second passenger was treated for minor injuries. The driver, meanwhile, fled the scene on foot but with the help of a dog and handler, was found, medically assessed and arrested, RCMP said.

Lewis was released on $5,000 bail on Monday and is scheduled to appear in Smithers provincial court on Sept. 11 to elect counsel.