Charges laid in relation to fatal roof surfing incident in Vernon

VERNON – Charges have been laid in connection with a roof surfing incident that left a Spallumcheen man dead last year.

Byron James Walterhouse, born in 1976, is charged with criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene in relation to the June 1, 2016 crash that killed Justin Roger Martyn, 27, according to court documents.

The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Tronson Road, just north of the intersection with Garmisch Road, police said at the time.

Police said Martyn was riding on top of the vehicle, “roof-surfing” when the vehicle left the road and rolled. He died at the scene.

The vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Caliber, had three people inside: two men aged 35 and 40, and a 27-year-old woman. The woman stayed at the scene, and the two men left, police said. One man later attended the Vernon RCMP detachment.

Walterhouse made his first appearance in Vernon Provincial Court on Oct. 12. He is due in court again today, Nov. 9, to consult with counsel. He is not in custody.

None of the allegations have been proven in court. 

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