A registered nurse from Washington state has been criminally charged almost four years after a fiery crash at the Peace Arch border crossing killed a B.C. pastor.
Gurbinder Singh, 39, of Edmonds, Wash., is charged with a single count of dangerous driving causing death in the 2019 collision on the Canadian side of the border.
Singh drove up from the U.S. with his wife to attend his first appearance in provincial court in Surrey on Friday.
Crown counsel Stefan Currie-Roberts told the court Singh was driving his Porsche Cayenne northbound to the Peace Arch border check on May 2, 2019, allegedly travelling up to 120 kilometres an hour, when he struck the rear of a Toyota Sienna minivan.
Witnesses described how a Porsche Cayenne SUV sped into the vehicle lineup and slammed into the minivan, sending both vehicles flying into a flower bed.
The minivan burst into flames and its sole occupant, Richmond father of three Tom Cheung, was killed.
Friends and colleagues told Global News that Cheung, the lead pastor at the Port Moody Pacific Grace MB Church, had been on his way home after picking up some books for his ministry.
RCMP said the driver was arrested and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Currie-Roberts, Singh was certified under the Mental Health Act after the collision, and has remained at home in Edmonds since.
Crown also said there was no indication drugs or alcohol were involved.
Singh had no comment after leaving court on Friday, where a warrant for his arrest was executed without him being taken into custody.
After voluntarily attending the hearing, he was released on a $1,000 cash deposit.
He must abide by two conditions of release, including notifying the court of his address and phone number and any changes to his address or phone number, and appearing before the court when required to do so.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 19.
Comments