Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Charges have been laid in the deaths of three individuals stemming from a motor vehicle accident in Wilmer six months ago.
The Pioneer has learned that BC Crown Counsel has approved six charges recommended by the Columbia Valley RCMP.
On January 2, Haley Watson was indicted for the following: three counts of impaired driving causing death, and three counts of dangerous driving causing death.
The Pioneer learned that an arrest warrant was issued and that Watson turned herself in to police on the same day of her indictment.
Watson is scheduled to appear in court on January 13 in Invermere. None of the charges have been tested in a court of law yet.
The indictment stems from a motor vehicle accident on July 9, 2024 when RCMP attended a single-vehicle collision on Westside Road near Panorama Drive in Wilmer.
Upon arrival, first responders located a vehicle which had driven off the road and down an embankment.
RCMP spokesperson James Grandy said the driver was taken to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries, while three young male passengers were pronounced deceased.
According to Grandy, speed and intoxication were believed to be contributing factors in the collision.
In a recent Facebook posting, the families of the victims thanked the community for its support and the local RCMP for their hard work during the investigation.
The accused was released from custody on the following conditions: To attend court on January 13, to notify RCMP of any change to address, and to not occupy the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle with any alcohol or cannabis in her body.
