Charge approved in 2020 crash that killed cyclist on cross-Canada journey
More than a year after cyclist Dafne Toumbanakis was struck and killed at the outset of a ride across Canada, a driver has been criminally charged.
The 24-year-old victim was on the Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge, B.C., when she was struck by a pickup truck on the afternoon of July 20, 2020.
On Wednesday, following a 16-month investigation, Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed one count of dangerous driving causing death has been approved against Mission resident Jason Davis.
"While the police consider the charge approval a positive outcome as far as the police investigation goes, we never lose sight of the fact that tragically someone lost their life in this incident," Const. Julie Klaussner said in a news release.
Authorities previously said the driver remained at the scene and was co-operative with police.
Friends told CTV News that Toumbanakis, who lived in Montreal, was no stranger to long-distance cycling, having previously taken several international biking trips, including a solo ride from Turkey to Poland.
"She was a person that really enjoyed life, enjoyed open space, trekking, biking," her friend Sylvain Karpinski said in an interview after her death. "She was a super easygoing girl and she was a sweetheart."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.