Wednesday Nov. 5, 2014 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST INCLUDED
Flash mob in action Jackson, Ben, Josh, Matthew, Keren and Paul Huyter channel the superhero Flash into a collective mob as they collect candy along the Downtown Treat Trail on Friday, Oct. 31. For more images from Halloween, see page A14.
EVAN BUHLER/OBSERVER
Officer found not guilty of charge
Dangerous driving: Judge acquits Salmon Arm constable in incident involving fatal crash. By Martha Wickett OBSERVER STAFF
Hugs and tears followed Judge Anne Wallace’s decision Thursday in the Salmon Arm Law Courts. The Provincial Court judge acquitted Salmon Arm police officer Micah Chan of a charge of dangerous driving. In the courtroom, intense emotion was evident on the faces of the police officers present, as well as Helen and Ian Eggen, parents of Courtenay. Just before midnight on June 20, 2013, a white Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 21-year-old Courtenay Eggen of Cherryville crashed into a parked dump truck in the Salmon Arm industrial park, killing her. Shortly after, a police cruiser
driven by Const. Chan went off the road nearby, sliding backwards down an embankment. Chan was charged in December 2013 following an investigation by the police Independent Investigations Office, a civilian-led body that conducts investigations into police-involved incidents that result in death or serious harm. Following the ruling, Chan went to the couple to offer condolences. He had been advised not to speak to them prior to the verdict. Ian Eggen said he and his spouse don’t blame Chan for their daughter’s death and they appreciated the judge’s in-depth decision. “I am relieved that he wasn’t guilty – that the court was very deliberate that he was not guilty,” said an emotional Ian. “We weren’t here
looking for vengeance. We wanted information on what happened.” He said he considered this a great exercise of the legal system, in that police are held to the same standards as others. “We don’t blame him for our daughter’s death – she was at fault,” he said, adding that Courtenay was probably over-confident in her driving abilities. The Eggens do, however, have suggestions for improvement. They would like to see more of an ongoing visible police presence, rather than “entrapment.” They would also like to see dashboard cameras in all police cars, as well as time-stamping on all radio transmissions, so evidence is more detailed – whether it be used to prove innocence or guilt.
This week As November 11 approaches, the sacrifice of a local family is remembered. Pg. A11. A new plan for improving the Salmon River Bridge is proposed. See A5.
OBSERVER FILE PHOTO
After crash: Const. Micah Chan’s vehicle came to rest against a building in the 5000 block of Auto Road. They also hope the verdict in the case will not give officers licence to operate at excessive speed. Helen Eggen said she feels no animosity.
She emphasizes that Courtenay was a good girl whose life was going well. She was taking preSee Family on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Election 2014.........A8-10 Life & Times ............. A14 Sports................A15-A17 Arts & Events ... A18-A20 Vol. 107, No. 45, 44 pages