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76 Pages

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Trucker
llenies
blame

By Anna Marie D'Angelo

News Reporter
dangelo@nssnews.com

THE driver of a run-
away dump truck
involved in a collision
that killed a pedestrian
in West Vancouver fast
September denies he
was negligent.

Ina statement of defence filed
last mouth, dump truck driver
Rajdeep Singh Khosa and: the
truck’s owners, Harnek Singh
Mann and Jastis Singh Mann,
state the accident was auised
either entirely or partly by the
negligence of the pedestrian,
Bjorn Biornson. Khosa’s dtimp
truck lost control on 22nd Street
Jast September, The truck crashed
near 22nd and Marine Drive.

The statement of defence
responds toa lawsuit launched by
Bjornson’s widow, Gisela
Bjornson, and their three chil-
dren. The Bjornsons allege that
Bjorn Bjornson, 58, died because
the defendants committed numer-
ous negligent acts.

In their statement of claim, the

See Fault page 3

BJORN Bjornson was
killed by a runaway truck
in West Vancouver.

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NEWS photo Terry Peters

Car flips on Dollarton Highway

PARAMEDICS prepare to place ar injured motorist onto a stretsher Wednesday after a single-car crash on Dollarton Highway near
Friar Crescent. The car hit a tight pole and flipped. The driver, who was the lone occupant, was trapped In the car for a short time.
Police say the man, who was taken to Lions Gate Hospital, suffered minor injuries.

wv

By Anna Marie D’Angelo
News Reporter
dangelo@nsnews.com

WEST Vancouver Police have recom-
mended minor traffic charges be laid
against the driver of a runaway dump
truck that killed Bjora Bjornson more
than nine months ago.

Sgt. Steve Watt said the recommended charges
are: driving without due care and attention and a
bylaw infraction relating to a velicle being over
weight.

Watt said the charges need to be approved by
Crown counsel.

Crown looks at traffic
charges only in fatal
West Van truck crash

Bjornson, 58, was struck on Sept. 27, 1996, by an
allegedly overloaded dump truck with malfunction:
ing brakes that Had careened down the 22nd Street
hill in Ws. ¢ Yanconver,

The tired paramedic was fatally injured near
Marin Drive at the bottom of the hill, Two others
were injured. ;

Shortly afterwards, West Vancouver Police detec-
tives drew up search warrants naming truck driver
Rajeep Singh Khosa in connection with a potential

NeOWs CO

hes urged

charge of criminal negligence causing the death of
Bjornson.

‘The charge carries a maximum fife sentence under
the Criminal Code, A charge of driving without due
care and attention falls under the Motor Vehicle Act
and includes penalties of 4 $300 fine and six driving
demerit points.

Bjornson’s widow, Gisela Bjornson, and their
three children are suing West Vancouver municipali-
ty, the dump truck driver Khosa, 28, of Surrey, and
the rnck’s owners, Harnek Singh Mann and Jasbir
Singh Mann.

Gisela Bjornson alleges that they all acted ina
Seallous and reckless disregard for the fife and rights
of the deceased.”

See Claims paged

INSIDE ~