Red Deer fire-medics who checked out a driver accused of causing a fatal crash almost four years ago testified in court on Friday that he was uninjured and suffering no medical issues immediately afterward.
Rodney Ross Arens, 36, has been on trial since Monday before Justice Kirk Sisson in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench, charged with eight offences in relation to a crash on Kerry Wood and Taylor Drives on the evening of July 1, 2010, just before fireworks were to be lit.
Anouluck “Jeffrey” Chanminaraj, 13, died at the scene. His brother Jamie and sister Stephanie, 18 and 20 at the time, were both hurt.
Witnesses testified earlier this week that a black truck sped through the intersection at speeds of 75 to 80 km/h, striking a small car that had stopped in the intersection and was proceeding to make a left turn.
Arens is charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and six other charges, including refusing to provide samples of his breath to collision investigators.
Fire-medics called to testify in his trial said they checked Arens over at about 1:30 in the morning. They were not asked to address whether Arens may have been impaired, said lead prosecutor Robin Snider, who is sharing duties with second counsel Wayne Silliker.
Both fire-medics were a few minutes late to testify on Friday, after being called to assist at the front entry of the courthouse, where a woman had fallen and hit her head. The woman said she was not badly hurt and was sent on her way after refusing an ambulance call.
Defence counsel Donna Derie-Gillespie said she had no issues with the brief delay.
The Crown’s case resumes on Tuesday with further expert and civilian witnesses expected to come to the stand.
Granted bail on the 2010 charges, Arens was arrested on new charges in December and remains in custody awaiting proceedings on those charges.
bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com