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‘Humboldt-style’ fatal crash in West Kelowna results in charges more than a year later

Click to play video: 'Man dies after semi plows into SUV in West Kelowna'
Man dies after semi plows into SUV in West Kelowna
Man dies after semi plows into SUV in West Kelowna – Jun 15, 2019

A West Kelowna fatal crash where a semi truck plowed into a vehicle waiting at a red light has resulted in charges against a Calgary man.

Harvinder Singh Toor has been charged with dangerous operation causing death and bodily harm in connection with the June 14, 2019 collision at Bartley Road and Highway 97.

RCMP said the semi truck, operated by Toor, failed to stop for the red light while driving at full speed, westbound at Highway 97, at 2 a.m.

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The semi truck and trailer struck a White Tucson, pushing it about 100 metres down the road and crushing the back end all the way into the front seats.

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The SUV driver, who operated a designated driving service in the Central Okanagan, was killed while his passenger was critically injured and lost a leg.

Toor was not injured and remained at the scene.

Sgt. Bryce Petersen, the Kelowna RCMP Integrated Road Safety Unit commander, called the incident a “Humboldt-type crash”, referring to the semi truck that struck the Humboldt Broncos’ team bus in Saskatchewan on April 6, 2018, killing 16 and injuring 13.

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Charges took so long to contemplate because RCMP investigators were gathering surveillance evidence over numerous kilometres in order to support a dangerous driving charge, according to Petersen.

Toor, who RCMP said was not prevented from driving since the fatal crash, is set to make his first appearance in B.C. Provincial Court in Kelowna on July 15.

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