Man found guilty of dangerous driving causing death of N.B. flag person

WEYBURN, Sask. -- A Saskatchewan man has been found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of a young woman working as a construction flag person.

Keith Dunford of Regina was acquitted of criminal negligence causing death.

Ashley Dawn Richards, who was 18, was struck and killed during her first day on the job near the southern Saskatchewan community of Midale in August 2012.

Court heard that Richards, who had recently moved from Lakeside, N.B., was thrown about the width of a Canadian Football League field when she was struck by an SUV.

An RCMP accident reconstructionist estimated the vehicle was travelling between 82 and 99 km/h when it struck Richards. The speed limit was 60 km/h.

Dunford, who is a professional truck driver from the United Kingdom, told police he was looking at his recent immigration papers when the collision occurred.

Judge Lana Krogan said Dunford didn't modify his speed despite seeing construction signs and observing other drivers slowing down in the construction zone.

A reasonable person would have foreseen the risk because there were eight posted construction signs, the judge said.

Dunford had said he had a momentary lapse of attention, but the judge pointed out that Dunford was driving through the construction zone for the second time that day.

She said Dunford was not paying attention to his surroundings, but was instead looking at immigration papers.

Sentencing has been reserved to Oct. 30.