Trial date to be set in fatal collision case

A 33-year-old woman facing several charges in relation to a fatal collision with a pedestrian a year ago, is expected to set a trial date when her matter returns to court next week.

During a hearing Friday in Lethbridge court of justice, the Crown indicated the trial for Bobbi Raquel Whillans will be brief and only comprise an agreed statement of facts, a short video and arguments by counsel. The matter is scheduled to return to court next Friday to set the trial date.

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

Whillans’ 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 Ave. N., and while turning onto 28 St. struck the pedestrians as they crossed the street in the crosswalk. The driver immediately stopped and called 911.