Man found not guilty in hit-and-run death of Brady Francis in New Brunswick

The man accused of leaving the scene of a crash that killed a young Elsipogtog, N.B., man two years ago has been found not guilty.

Brady Francis, 22, died after he was hit by a vehicle while walking along a road in Saint Charles in February 2018.

READ MORE: ‘That sounded close’ — Brady Francis was on phone with parents before he was found

RCMP say that at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2018, officers responded to Saint-Charles Sud Road, where Francis’ body was found on the side of the road.

Police believe he was waiting for a ride home when he was struck by a vehicle.

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Francis’ parents, Jessica Perley and Dana Francis, previously testified they were on the phone with Brady when his father heard a loud car sound on the other end.

That was the last time they spoke to him before his body was eventually found on the road.

1:21 Trial starts for man charged in hit-and-run death of 22-year-old in N.B.

Maurice Johnson, 57, stood trial in January on a charge of failing to stop at the scene of a collision causing death.

In her decision, Justice Denise LeBlanc said the Crown did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Johnson maintained that he hit a deer that night.

READ MORE: Man charged in hit-and-run death of Brady Francis pleads not guilty

The judge also pointed out that no DNA or trace could be established between Francis and Johnson’s GMC truck.

— With files from Global News’ Callum Smith