Vernon musician charged in fatal pedestrian collision

A Vernon musician has been charged in relation to a fatal pedestrian collision which killed a much-loved Splatsin First Nation elder on Canada Day 2023.

Marvyn Goerge Machura appeared at the Salmon Arm courthouse Tuesday, Feb. 19, charged with driving without due care and attention following the collision that took place in Enderby on July 1, 2023.

Machura’s vehicle struck well-known Splatsin First Nation member Harry J. Jones Jr, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time the RCMP said that Jones Jr was attempting to cross at a lighted marked crosswalk at Highway 97A and Canyon Road at about noon when he was struck by a Subaru Impreza.

It was more than a year later that Machura was charged.

Machura, born 1962, appeared at the Salmon Arm courthouse Tuesday to set a date to go to trial.

He hasn’t got a lawyer and is representing himself. Because of his inexperience in court, a trial was scheduled for five days.

The Crown prosecutor said it had seven civilian witnesses, five RCMP witnesses and an expert witness lined up to testify and they were looking for a sentence of six to 12 month driving ban and a $1,500 fine.

The fatal collision caused shockwaves in the community following the 62-year-old’s death.

Jones Jr was a talented artist and much-loved member of the Splatsin First Nation. A memorial Harry Jones Jr T-shirt printed shortly after he died read, “The Legend.”

His death also led to the yellow flashing pedestrian light being replaced by a traffic light.

According to his website, Marv Machura is a Western Canadian Roots musician and has been playing music since he was a teenager. He doesn’t have a criminal record and got a speeding ticket in Lake Country in 2022.

Machura couldn’t be immediately reached for comment and none of the charges have been proven in court.

A date for the trial has yet to be set.