Another date has been set for a preliminary inquiry into the impaired driving causing death charges against Thomas Whittle of Conception Bay South.
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Whittle, 28, was charged after a snowmobile he was allegedly driving while intoxicated collided with a taxi cab near Humber valley Resort in February 2017.
Justyn Pollard, 21, was a passenger on the snowmobile and died as a result of his injuries.
A preliminary inquiry had initially been scheduled for last October, but had to be delayed because Whittle’s previous lawyer was unable to continue representing him. His new lawyer withdrew before the rescheduled inquiry could take place earlier this month.
The court had kept the March date for the inquiry, but Whittle was not present in person as required and had no lawyer there to represent him on the day the proceeding was to commence.
During his most recent appearances, the courts have been ordering Whittle to secure his legal representation before his matters proceed with him having to represent himself.
He has since commenced the process to obtain a legal aid lawyer, but doesn’t have one yet.
When his case was called Friday, Judge Wayne Gorman set the preliminary inquiry for June 5. He also told Whittle that he has to be present in the Corner Brook courtroom on that date or a warrant will be issued for his arrest.
Gorman also told Whittle it is his responsibility to get the disclosure package outlining the case against him from the possession of his most recent lawyer so it can be provided to his next one.
The allegations, according to court documents, are that Whittle was impaired by both drugs and alcohol at the time of the fatal accident.
The charges against him include impaired operation of a vehicle causing death, impaired operation of a vehicle causing death while having more than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and impaired driving causing death.
