The preliminary hearing for a 19-year-old man who was charged after a Red Deer College student was killed in an alleged drunk driving collision was cancelled before it began on Tuesday in Red Deer provincial court.
Defence lawyer Will Willms, who is representing the accused, Darith Rin, 19, of Red Deer, told the judge the case should be resolved in early January without the need for a preliminary hearing.
Rin was charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, causing a crash while impaired, and impaired driving.
Crown prosecutor Wayne Silliker later confirmed that this likely means Rin will make a plea at that time. “That’s the plan.”
Judge Jim Mitchell reserved a courtroom on Jan. 4 for the resolution of the case, after thanking witnesses for coming in on Tuesday.
The case against Rin began after Matthew Taylor, 18, died after being thrown from the passenger’s seat of a vehicle at about 2:50 a.m. on 77th Street, near the intersection of 45th Avenue Close in Red Deer on Sept. 7, 2010.
According to a police report, a car with three men was eastbound when the driver allegedly lost control. The vehicle went into the north ditch, where it struck concrete posts and a fire hydrant.
The family of the deceased student, who was killed on the same day he was to have started classes at Red Deer College, travelled all the way to Red Deer from Hay River, N.W.T., for the hearing that was cancelled on Tuesday.
Family members were overcome with emotion outside the courtroom and declined to comment.
But the judge previously said that he hopes it’s of some comfort to know the criminal matter should be resolved on Jan. 4.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com