POLICE – MVA charges laid against driver in fatal McGill Road crash

Charges will be pursued through the Motor Vehicle Act following an investigation into a fatal collision on McGill Road last year.

The decision came following an investigation that began on Nov. 29, 2023, when emergency responders were first called to McGill Road and University Drive for a collision involving multiple vehicles.

Three occupants of a Volkswagen were taken to hospital after their car was struck by a Dodge Ram truck. TRU Wolfpack volleyball player Owyn McInnes died and Riley Brinnen and Owen Waterhouse were seriously injured.

The driver of the truck, Colval Abbinett, remained at the scene, and police investigators with specialty training in assessing driver impairment established the truck driver was not impaired by drug or alcohol.

“We understand that many people have been impacted by this tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and those in the community who have been affected,” Supt. Jeff Pelley, officer in charge of the Kamloops RCMP detachment, said today (Nov. 25, 2024).

“It’s important for me to acknowledge the significant work of our investigators, the witnesses, community partners, and the families involved who allowed us to establish the facts and circumstances that resulted in such tragic loss. We remain committed to supporting the families impacted as we advance forward.”

As part of the investigation, specialty RCMP units were utilized, including the support of the Southeast District Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service.

The BC Prosecutive Service reviewed the report to Crown counsel and concluded that the evidence supported a charge under Section 144 of the MVA, driving without due care and attention, and a charge of driving without reasonable consideration for others using the roadway.