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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.