RCMP will recommend at least one charge in relation to a fatal traffic collision that occurred in Ucluelet on Feb. 6. A Suburban SUV was traveling into town towing a boat on a trailer when it lost control and careened off the road.
The out-of-control boat trailer fishtailed onto Ucluelet's bike path-about 5 metres off the highway-where it struck and killed Lorraine Ennis, 78, a muchbeloved local woman who was out on her morning walk.
The Suburban's three occupants were questioned but, because they do not speak English, a translator
was required and this slowed the investigation, according to Cpl. Mike Elston of the RCMP Central Island Traffic Services.
Elston is handling the file and told the Westerly on Monday that he plans to submit the evidence along
with at least one recommended charge to Port Alberni's Crown Counsel within the next six weeks.
He declined to outline what the recommended charge will be.
"I'm not going to go into details as to what that could be," he said. "Once I've gotten everything written down and had a good look at it
I'll make some recommendations to Crown Counsel and, ultimately, it will be their decision as to what they believe can be proven in court."
Elston said the evidence includes witness statements, mechanical inspections, and reconstructionist reports, and he will put this all into a comprehensive package to submit to the Crown.
"We know what the evidence says, we're just putting it together into a package," he said.
"You want to put together something that is professional and is as detailed as possible so that there aren't questions left afterwards."
He said he is eager to get the file moving.
"There's always a balancing act because you never only have one investigation going at once, we've got lots of stuff going on, but this one is starting to get on my nerves a little bit; I want to get it out there and try to get this one moving on," he said.
"I understand that the people of Ucluelet and Tofino are eager to see some results as well so that's always in the back of my mind."
reporter@weaterlynews.ca