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Charges laid in car surfing death

Man charged in connection with death of Spallumcheen resident
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Court matters are proceeding in a case involving a roof surfing-related death in Vernon.

On June 1, 2016, Vernon RCMP were called to a report of a single-vehicle rollover collision with one fatality at the end of Tronson Road, just north of the intersection with Garmisch Road, at 12:30 a.m.

Investigators determined a man had been riding on top of the vehicle, or roof surfing, as the 2007 Dodge Calibre left the travelled portion of the road and rolled over.

The incident claimed the life of Justin Roger Martyn, 27, of Spallumcheen.

There were three occupants inside the car – two men, aged 35 and 40, and a 27-year-old woman.

The woman stayed at the scene and spoke with police. The two men walked away. RCMP spoke with one and the second man eventually attended the Vernon RCMP detachment and was released without charges at the time.

Court documents show Byron James Walterhouse, born in 1976, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failure to stop at an accident causing death.

He appeared in Provincial Court in Vernon Thursday, and his matter has been put over until Nov. 30.

Walterhouse is not in custody.



Roger Knox

About the Author: Roger Knox

I am a journalist with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. I started my career in radio and have spent the last 21 years working with Black Press Media.
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