Alleged drunk driver will stand trial for Vernon crash that killed one nurse and injured another

VERNON – A woman charged in connection with a tragic crash involving two local nurses will stand trial.

Lori Victoria Vance appeared in Vernon Provincial Court today, Feb. 16, for what was scheduled to be a preliminary inquiry. That appearance wrapped up quickly with Vance foregoing the preliminary hearing and electing trial by judge alone.

Vance faces a total of eight charges including impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm and criminal negligence causing death.

The collision happened Oct. 23, 2014, when a vehicle occupied by two Vernon Jubilee Hospital night-shift nurses was T-boned downtown Vernon. Erin Rae Smith, 33, of Kelowna, died at the scene. Lindsey Hauck, 31, from Vernon, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Charges against Vance were laid more than four months after the crash.

Vance returns to Vernon court March 21 to fix a date for the trial.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.