A Calgary father has been charged with impaired driving in a deadly crash on McKnight Boulevard last year that killed his teenage daughter and badly injured her best friend.
The rollover happened between 68 Street and 52 Street N.E. on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Police said the driver of a westbound Jeep lost control, sending the vehicle into the median and rolling across eastbound lanes.
The driver, Michael Shaun Bomford, was ejected from the vehicle, as was his 17-year-old daughter, Meghan Bomford, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Meghan’s friend Kelsey Nelson, 16, who was sitting in the back seat, was also ejected from the vehicle.
Meghan was transported to hospital but died from her injuries.
Both Michael Bomford and Nelson suffered serious injuries.
At the time, police said both speed and alcohol were thought to be factors in the deadly crash.
On Friday, the Calgary Police Service announced Michael Bomford, 52, was facing several charges including:
- Impaired driving causing death
- Impaired driving causing bodily harm
- Over 80 causing death
- Over 80 causing bodily harm
- Dangerous driving causing death
- Dangerous driving causing bodily harm
“This is actually quite a complicated investigation,” Sgt. Colin Foster of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section said during a news conference.
“The injuries were very serious so we had to wait before all parties were fit enough for us to be able to talk to them.”
WATCH: Colin Foster explains why it took so long before charges were laid against Michael Bomford
Foster said he believes Nelson is now at home and still recuperating from her injuries.
He couldn’t say if any of the three were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
WATCH: Colin Foster explains how the family of Meghan Bomford has been dealing with the investigation into the collision that killed her.
Meghan remembered as ‘feisty’ girl with love for ‘all things ringette’
In a statement issued by Meghan’s mother following the crash, Lisa Bomford described her 17-year-old daughter as a “feisty, gorgeous and loving girl” who had a love for “all things ringette.”
At the time of the crash, Lisa said her daughter and Nelson were on their way to get police checks to become junior ringette coaches.