RCMP confirmed Thursday they will not be laying charges against the 23-year old driver who caused a head-on crash on Highway 9 in August.
Regardless of whether a collision is fatal, a driver cannot be found criminally responsible unless intoxication, intent or negligence is a contributing factor, said police.
Sergeant Glen Demmon told Global News the 23-year old man driving a yellow Penske rental truck was heading north on Highway 9 when he decided to pass a twin tractor trailer on a bend on the road.
His truck ended up in the southbound lane and hit a car head-on killing 33-year-old Jonathan Sobol, a well-known chef who worked at Starbelly Restaurant and 20-year-old Alec Bracegirdle, who was an up-and-coming web content developer.
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READ MORE: Starbelly chef Jonathan Sobol killed in Irricana crash
According to Demmon, the collision was a result of poor judgement by the driver of the rental truck.
The crash happened on a stretch of road where it was technically safe to pass, however the driver of the truck has been fined $233 for passing on the left when the view is obstructed.
READ MORE: Alec Bracegirdle identified as second victim in deadly Irricana crash
The family of Bracegirdle was disappointed to hear that is the maximum penalty the driver will deal with is a fine.
In a statement Thursday, Bracegirdle’s family said: “We had hoped that the man who took the lives of Alec and Jonathon would be required to make a mandatory court appearance and perhaps a statement to the families to help in our grief and healing.
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“We need to know if the driver understands the gravity of what he has done.”
Sobol’s girlfriend Katelin Bland said she is working with Jonathan’s family to build a legacy in his name. There is a Calgary-wide school garden program in his name as well as a kids cookbook.
Bland had recently moved in with Sobol and the two had booked a vacation to begin last weekend.
Bland recently found out Sobol had plans to propose to her on that trip.
With files from Mia Sosiak
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