25.2 C
Castlegar

Not guilty verdict in Oasis fatal

The man accused in the collision that claimed the life of a 34-year-old woman and injured her four children has been found not guilty.

Terry Jackson was charged with dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm several weeks after the crash near Oasis on October 1, 2022.

Two witnesses testified seeing a northbound pickup truck drift across the shoulder of Hwy 22 twice before driving into the southbound lane and colliding with an SUV.

Both said the vehicle was able to correct back on to the highway after the drifting incidents and one told court he said โ€œno this isnโ€™t happeningโ€ seconds before the fatal head-on crash moments later.

They said the vehicle was traveling at around the 90 km/hour speed limit.

Jackson testified he was upset about his girlfriend taking his jeep and his elderly dog following an argument the night before.

The 57-year-old admitted he reached twice to answer calls to the dash mounted cell phone, but maintained he kept the vehicle under control.

Jackson told court he thought his girlfriend may have left the dog along the highway, decided he would turn around to check out rest stops and looked in his rearview mirror after passing one.

Once focusing ahead, he testified to seeing a โ€œflash of lightโ€ just before the collision and ended up in the ditch.

Judge Craig Sicotte said he rejected Jacksonโ€™s entire testimony, pointing to inconsistencies and omissions with his statements to police.

Sicotte noted the testimony of one of the witnesses who said he would have called police if the truck continued to drift off the highway after the first two incidents.

Sicotte noted that a mother of four lost her life and two of her children suffered broken clavicles.

The judge also spoke of the emotional trauma suffered by the witnesses and Jackson who spoke of feeling sadness and guilt since the collision.

Sicotte surmised even the most prudent drivers make mistakes

He said the case came down to Jacksonโ€™s state of mind, whether he realized continuing the trip along the highway toward Genelle would pose a dangerous risk and could not make that conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt.


Be the first to know! Donโ€™t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNow News Alerts.

Drew Wilson
Drew Wilson
Drew brings more than four decades of experience to the Kootenay newsroom. His career has taken him across Ontario, the Northwest Territories and B.C. Drew combines his love of radio and community with his passion for sports.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

B.C. small businesses brace for end of U.S. duty-free exemption

Small businesses in British Columbia are preparing for a financial hit from the U.S. elimination of de minimis exemptions on shipments.

SPCA cat Sophie ready for a new home

Sophie is this week's Summit Radio Pet of the Week from the BCSPCA in Castlegar!

Bailey Monteith named Trail Smoke Eaters assistant coach

A lifelong Smokies fan through his familyโ€™s passion for the team, Monteith carried that pride into his own hockey career as a goaltender in the BCHL and MJHL.

West Robson boil notice cancelled

The Regional District of Central Kootenay says the boil notice issued Aug. 8 has been lifted.

Record Ridge project avoids environmental assessment

A proposed magnesium mine southwest of Rossland will not be subject to a full-blown environmental review.
- Advertisement -