An 85-year-old man charged with driving without due care and attention after allegedly hitting a pedestrian in North Kamloops is no longer scheduled to plead guilty.
A lawyer representing Merle Michels was scheduled to appear in provincial court Thursday to fix a date for a guilty plea.
But lawyer Rob Bruneau said, however, that Michels will not plead guilty at this time. Instead, on March 7 an arraignment hearing is scheduled. At that time Michels will elect whether to dispute the charge under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Michels also faces a civil suit in wake of Chloe Demers, 20, who was struck at a Fortune Drive crosswalk.
According to a statement of claim, Demers was walking across Fortune Drive in the crosswalk when Michels’ Pontiac ran a red light at the intersection of Fortune, Leigh Road and Fort Avenue in North Kamloops.
Among injuries to Demers alleged in the lawsuit are a “severe traumatic brain injury”, blown pupil, seizures and post-traumatic stress syndrome.
The statement claims that Demers “is less able to manage all aspects of family living” and must rely on family members.
Michels has yet to file a statement of defence.
