Tentative trial date set for driver in highway worker death

A tentative trial date has been set for a man facing charges related to the death last summer of a young flag person working on a road construction crew near Midale.

Keith Dunford is charged with one count each of criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

A pre-trial conference was held in Weyburn Court of Queen’s Bench on Thursday, during which the trial was tentatively set for the week of Feb. 10 in that court. Another pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place in September, at which time the trial dates are expected to be confirmed. Dunford previously elected to be tried by a judge and jury.

Ashley Dawn Richards, 18, was working on Aug. 24 with a contracted construction company on Highway 39 near Midale when she was struck by a northbound SUV around 5:30 p.m.

She was taken to hospital in Weyburn but was pronounced dead.

The young woman, originally from Lakeside, N.B., was said to be pregnant at the time. She and her common-law husband Ben Diprose, who witnessed the crash, had moved to Saskatchewan shortly before and had found work with the same company. Richards was killed during the couple’s first highway shift.

An investigation led to charges against Dunford two months later.

The tragedy led to increased fines and enforcement in the socalled orange zone.