ST. PAUL – During a bail hearing for Richard Edward Benson, 46, Monday morning, the man accused of crashing his van into the side of a school, the charge of dangerous driving causing bodily harm was dropped. Benson is now charged with criminal negligence causing death and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, along with the charges of resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance.
Last Thursday morning, a white minivan smashed into a French immersion classroom at St. Paul’s Racette Junior High School. One girl was killed in the crash, and two others were seriously injured.
Benson has been in custody on initial charges that include three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, resisting arrest, and possession of marijuana.
During Monday’s bail hearing in St. Paul, Benson appeared disheveled. He wore a collared shirt and was unshaven. During the proceedings, he glanced at a family member and smiled briefly. Benson will be appearing again on Thursday November 1st, 2012 at the St. Paul Court House. However, there is a publication ban on the circumstances and facts raised at his bail hearing.
After the van crashed into the school around 9:30 am October 25, the three critically injured students were air-lifted to Edmonton for treatment. Megan Wolitski died the next day in hospital, where two of her classmates remain. Five other students were treated in a St. Paul hospital for their injuries, but were released.
Benson’s family has told the Edmonton Journal they believe the crash occurred because he had a seizure after dropping off two of his children at the school that day.
The RCMP is seeking the public’s help in this investigation. Anyone who has information that might assist is asked to contact St. Paul RCMP (780) 645-8870 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
St. Paul is about 200 km northeast of Edmonton.
With files from the Edmonton Journal, Canadian Press
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