Alberta driver, trucking company charged in fatal Highway 17 crash
A commercial driver and trucking company from Alberta have been charged in a fatal crash on Highway 17 that killed a 33-year-old man north of Wawa, Ont., in November.
Christian Casavant was a passenger in a pickup truck who was on his way to work for his last night shift shortly before 6 p.m. Nov. 29 when the vehicle collided with a southbound commercial vehicle near the Highway 519 intersection.
Christian 'Chris' Casavant was a volunteer firefighter with Wawa Fire Department. (Supplied)
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Now, almost eight months later, Ontario Provincial Police have completed the investigation with the help of Alberta Transportation and Edmonton Police Service.
As a result, a 23-year-old Edmonton resident is charged with careless driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene, along with dozens of offences related to commercial driving regulations.
They include five counts of failing to maintain a daily log, six counts each of failing to record malfunction code information and ensuring ELD is in good working order, two counts each of entering inaccurate information in record and exceeding 13 hours driving time without eight hours off, driving after 14 hours on duty without eight hours off and three counts of driving after 16 hours since last break without eight hours off.
Anttal Transportation of Edmonton is also facing a dozen counts of permitting a person to drive a commercial vehicle not in accordance with regulations.
- Download our app to get alerts sent to your device
- Get the latest newsletter sent right to your inbox
A 30-year-old Edmonton resident is also charged with obstructing a peace officer in connection to the case.
The driver and company are scheduled to appear in court in Wawa on Oct. 5. The other accused is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Casavant – a fire service and mine rescue worker -- leaves behind a wife and son. The driver of the pickup truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash while the commercial truck driver was unharmed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alberta premier Danielle Smith meets with Trump at impromptu Mar-a-Lago visit
Alberta premier Danielle Smith met with President-elect Donald Trump Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
Trudeau says Trump's comments on 51st state 'flattering' but a 'non-starter'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says talk of Canada becoming the 51st state is a distraction from more pressing threats of U.S tariffs on Canada and their likely impact.
Costco Canada accused of overcharging online shoppers in class-action lawsuit
Perrier Attorneys says Costco charged more for items online than in-store, a practice known as “double ticketing,” which is banned under the Competition Act.
Former PM Chretien says Liberal party must move back to 'radical centre'
As the Liberal party searches for a new leader, former prime minister Jean Chretien says it's time for the party to move back to the "radical centre" to help its electoral fortunes.
Canada shuts out U.S. to win U-18 women's world championship
Marilou Grenier stopped 14 shots as Canada defeated the United States 3-0 on Sunday to capture the gold medal at the world women's under-18 hockey championship.
Are there U.S. military bases and American troops in Canada?
The U.S. military has more than 165,000 troops deployed in over 170 countries and territories, including Canada.
Teen's road test halted by stunt driving charge
A 17-year-old driver failed their road test before it even began after being stopped by police in a community safety zone.
Why Canada and the U.S. are seeing a trend of wildfires in recent years
As Los Angeles continues to battle one of the most destructive wildfires in its history, experts say the devastation signals a troubling trend fuelled by a larger climate crisis.
Vance says Jan. 6 participants who committed violence 'obviously' shouldn't be pardoned
Vice President-elect JD Vance says people responsible for the violence during the Capitol riot “obviously” should not be pardoned, as President-elect Donald Trump is promising to use his clemency power on behalf of many of those who tried on Jan. 6, 2021, to overturn the results of the election that Trump lost.