Skip to content

Death driving case may be resolved without trial

A Red Deer man facing a new Alberta Court of Appeal ordered trial in a death driving case almost five years ago, may have his case resolved without the necessity of a trial.

A Red Deer man facing a new Alberta Court of Appeal ordered trial in a death driving case almost five years ago, may have his case resolved without the necessity of a trial.

Defence lawyer Will Willms told Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench Justice D. K. Miller of Lethbridge that he “was very close to resolving” charges against James Jonathan Carr, 24.

Willms said the matter may not require a trial.

Carr was convicted of drunk driving causing death following a 2007 trial. He was sentenced in February 2008 to two years less a day under house arrest. He also received one year of probation and a five-year driving prohibition.

The case was adjourned to April 4.

He was alleged to have been driving to Sylvan Lake on Hwy 11A with three passengers when his pickup rolled about 11:30 p.m. on June 7, 2006, just west of town.

Blake Levall, 19, of Red Deer died from head injuries after he was ejected from the back seat. Two female passengers were injured.

The appeal court ordered a new trial late last year after new evidence emerged.

The appeal court says in its decision that evidence showing Carr had suffered a concussion in the accident could have had a bearing on admissions he made after the crash.