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Teen charged with death of taxi passenger pleads not guilty

The teenager accused of being drunk and crashing into a taxi, killing a passenger, has pleaded not guilty.

The teenager accused of being drunk and crashing into a taxi, killing a passenger, has pleaded not guilty.

Tyler James Wilson, 18, of Brooks has chosen to be tried by judge alone in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench. He has been charged in the death of Jonathon David Wood, 33, of Red Deer.

Before the trial can occur, a preliminary inquiry will be held in Red Deer provincial court on Dec. 3 and 4. A preliminary inquiry tests the strength of the Crown’s case.

Wood’s family packed into the Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday to show their support. Taking up two rows of seating, all were sporting orange pins with the words “keep your head up and your heart strong,” in reference to a song by Ben Howard of the same name. Ever since his death, his family has held these words close to their hearts, saying they were words Wood lived by.

Wilson faces dangerous driving causing death charges in relation to the Nov. 2, 2013, crash at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 32nd Street.

Wood had been out at the bar that night following a squash match in a tournament he helped organized. He chose to take a taxi home.

Represented by Red Deer defence counsel Lorne Goddard, Wilson is alleged to have been intoxicated and crashed into the taxi, killing Wood and injuring the taxi driver.