St. Albert RCMP have charged the driver of a school bus that killed a six-year-old St. Albert boy in September. Thomas Wedman, a Grade 2 student at Ă©cole Marie Poburan, died on Sept. 27 after being struck by a school bus while walking to school.
St. Albert RCMP have charged the driver of a school bus that killed a six-year-old St. Albert boy in September.
Thomas Wedman, a Grade 2 student at Ă©cole Marie Poburan, died on Sept. 27 after being struck by a school bus while walking to school. Wedman was crossing the street as the bus made a right-hand turn onto Woodlands Road from Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.
RCMP have charged Joseph Allen of Edmonton with driving carelessly and failing to yield to a pedestrian.
Const. M-J Burroughs of the St. Albert RCMP said the investigation included interviewing witnesses and testing the mechanics on the bus.
"They cover off the different bases then consulted with Crown counsel in regards to if any charges would pertain to the information that was gathered," she said.
The school bus involved in the crash was contracted by St. Albert Public Schools and was heading to Keenooshayo Elementary School. It was operated by First Student Canada.
Stephanie Creech, communications manager with First Student, said Allen has been suspended since the incident.
“Anytime, any incident similar to the one in which he was involved occurs, it is the policy of First Student to remove the driver from service pending an internal investigation and full cooperation with any police investigation,” she said.
The internal investigation is ongoing.
The current penalties for driving carelessly under the Traffic Safety Act and failing to yield to a pedestrian under the Use of Highways and Rules of the Road Regulations are monetary fines of $402 and $575, respectively.
Allen is scheduled to make his first court appearance Jan. 27 in St. Albert.
