B.C. appeal court upholds drunk driving acquittal in deadly Williams Lake crash

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VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s highest court has upheld the acquittal of a Williams Lake man on charges of dangerous and impaired driving causing death and bodily harm.

In handing down its decision in the B.C. Court of Appeal in Vancouver, a panel of justices agrees that Martin Gentles had a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit.

But the judges also ruled the Crown failed to prove impairment or dangerous driving were contributing factors to the death of 20-year-old Rayel MacDonald or the severe injuries of her friend, Alysha Mullett.

In a unanimous decision, the judges agree the two victims stepped into the path of Gentles’ oncoming truck in April 2012, giving him less than two seconds to avoid impact.

Gentles was convicted of impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident for the early-morning crash that occurred as the two women walked home from a dance.

After his conviction, Gentles received an eight-month conditional sentence, one year of probation, a one-year driving prohibition and a fine.

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