â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

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 “no this isn’t happening” 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 “flash of light” just before the collision and ended up in the ditch.

Judge Craig Sicotte said he rejected Jackson’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 Jackson’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! Don’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

Ribbon cut on Fruitvale’s Blizzard Mountain Place

Who was more excited at the ribbon cutting Friday for a new rental housing complex in Fruitvale: Kootenay Monashee MLA Steve Morissette or Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society president Jan Morton?

Province rolls out updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines for fall

B.C. officials say it’s time to roll up your sleeves as we enter the fall virus season.  The post Province rolls out updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines for fall appeared first on AM 1150.

Castlegar man dies after lighting fire in alley

A 70-year-old Castlegar man has died after starting a fire behind a business in the 1700 block of Columbia Avenue.

B.C. attorney general welcomes proposed federal bail reforms targeting repeat violent offenders

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said proposed changes to Canada’s bail laws reflect the province’s push for tougher rules targeting repeat and violent offenders.  The post B.C. attorney general welcomes proposed federal bail reforms targeting repeat violent offenders appeared first on AM 1150.

Vote on 2nd Castlegar ice sheet expected in 2026

A referendum to decide whether Castlegar and area residents are willing to pay for a second ice surface and a walking track is likely a year away.
- Advertisement -