Another delay in court case of senior charged in accident
A senior who was expected to plead guilty on Thursday, March 7 to a driving offence in connection to an accident that seriously injured a young woman has once again had his court proceedings adjourned.
Merle Peter Michels, 85, is charged with driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention in connection to a Sept. 7, 2012, accident in North Kamloops.
On that day, 20-year-old Chloe Jasmine Demers — also known as Chloe Ardile — suffered life-threatening injuries and spent several weeks in a medically induce coma after being hit by a car as she crossed Tranquille Road at Leigh Street while in a crosswalk.
The vehicle allegedly ran a red light when it struck Demers.
Michels' lawyer, Rob Bruneau, requested the delay in Kamloops Law Courts so he can confer with the Crown prosecutor assigned to the case.
The new date is March 21.
Late last month, Demers' family filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court ,seeking money to cover loss of income, loss of earning capacity, future care costs and general damages, among other claims.
According to the notice of claim filed on the woman's behalf, Demers suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, a broken tibia and fibula, multiple lacerations, abrasions and bruises to her entire body, a blown pupil and an ACL injury to her left knee.
The document claims she has been left with scars on her head and body and now suffers seizures, pain, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and headaches.
According to the document, Michels was speeding when he allegedly ran the red light and failed "to take reasonable steps to avoid a collision" with Demers.
There is no dollar amount listed in the document.
Michels has yet to file a response.
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