19 year-old drunk driver kills an elderly man in Regina

A 19 year-old male from Grand Coulee, SK, is facing five charges as the result of a two- vehicle, rear-end collision on Sunday, June 20, 2010, which resulted in the death of an 88 year-old Regina male.

Preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 20, 2010, both vehicles were traveling north-bound in the left-hand driving lane of the Trans Canada Highway Bypass. The lead vehicle, a Honda Accord, was carrying a 55 year-old female driver, an 81 year-old female in the front passenger seat and an 88 year-old male in the rear, passenger-side seat. The second vehicle, a Ford Explorer Sport SUV, was occupied by a 19 year-old male driver and a 19 year-old male passenger. It’s believed the Honda slowed down for a 60 km/h construction zone at the Arcola overpass and was rear-ended by the SUV. Both passengers from the Honda were taken to hospital for treatment; the injuries to the female were relatively minor; the male victim’s injuries more extensive. At approximately 9:30 p.m., June 20, 2010, police received notice from the coroner that the 88 year-old male had died in hospital. His name has not yet been released. The 19 year-old driver of the SUV was taken into custody at the scene and, as the result of investigation, now faces five charges in connection with this incident.

Nineteen year old Justin Joseph HODEL, DOB: 1990-11-04, of Grand Coulee, is charged with Impaired Driving Causing Death [255(3) CC]; Impaired Driving Causing Bodily Harm [255(2) CC]; Criminal Negligence Causing Death [220 CC]; Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm [221 CC]; and Exceed .08 Blood Alcohol Level [253(1)(b) CC].

HODEL will be in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 2010.