The driver in a fatal Canada Day crash that killed two people made no attempt to obey a stop sign and was driving 50 to 80 per cent above the posted speed limit, court heard Thursday.
Crown prosecutor Aleksandra Simic made the argument during her closing submission in Court of Queen’s Bench in Red Deer.
Dylan Beauclair, 21, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The trial into the single-vehicle crash began last week.
John Dolliver, 18, of Penhold, and Ashleigh Smith, 16, of Springbrook, were killed about 10 kilometres east of Red Deer near the intersection of Range Road 261/Highway 808 and Highway 595 at about 11:30 p.m. on July 1, 2016.
Two other passengers, teenage girls, were also in the car driven by Beauclair. One suffered serious facial injuries and the other was not seriously injured.
Simic said Beauclair was driving at speeds of 121 to 145 km/h on a gravel road, where the speed limit was 80 km/h, when the collision occurred.
She said evidence indicated that a decision was made to rely on a designated driver that night, and the accused took the wheel despite the protests of the designated driver in an effort to get home quicker.
An examination of the vehicle showed no mechanical problems, Simic added.
A decision in the case is expected later this month.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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