Why it took nearly 5 months to lay charges in Coalhurst fatal collision

Sgt. Darrin Turnbull says this was a “complex investigation that required several different steps to take place before we could lay the charges.”

He explains that investigations by forensic collision reconstructionists often take a considerable amount of time. They work to determine the cause of the collision by analyzing factors such as speed, impact points, vehicle damage, the actions of the drivers and more.

The suspect in this case was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, so Turnbull says there are additional steps investigators have to take. Rather than take the person immediately back to the RCMP detachment, officers need to obtain search warrants to collect statements, medical records and blood samples.

The blood samples then need to be transported to a forensic lab to determine the blood alcohol content, if there is any. Once the RCMP receives the results of that, they are able to take the final steps in their investigation and make the arrest.

The person accused in this collision faces 15 charges and Turnbull says they need to present sufficient evidence to prosecutors for each one.

“To be honest, under six months is actually very quick for this complex of an investigation,” he says, adding that they can sometimes take more than one year.

Turnbull tells LNN that the family of the victims have been periodically updated on the progress of their investigation.

More details on the charges are in the article below.

by David Opinko

Why it took nearly 5 months to lay charges in Coalhurst fatal collision

What's Happening