40 — Wednesday, December 2, 1992 ~ North Shore News Cocaine found in accused’s blood samples, court told Trial continues into crash that killed WV woman CROWN ATTORNEY Mike Luchenko attempted to prove before a B.C. Supreme Court Justice Friday that the man who hit a West Vancouver woman with his Mazda RX-7 sports car was impaired by cocaine. But while 2 police lab expert told Mr. Justice Donald Clancy that the blood and urine samples taken from the accused two howrs after the accident show ‘“‘signifi- cant’’ amounts of cocaine among other drugs, such as valium, he said tests could not accurately show the cocaine level present at the critical time of the accident. RCMP toxicclogist Jeff Caughlin explained to the court that current lab technology cannot reak down exact amounts of drugs present in the body before she tests are taken. Laverne Darrell Vanierberghe, 50, has been charged with criminal negligence causing the death of Ingaborg Von Schlack, 56, on March 30, 1991. Von Schlack was hit after tie sports car veered off Marine Drive at 1%h in West Vancouver onto the sidewalk she and her husband, Rudolf, were sharing. The car then crashed into a nearby gas station, where it caught fire. Rudolf Yon Schlack earlier testified how he watched his wife being thrown into the air after she had been struck by the car. Vanierberghe has also been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. A separate trial date for the co- caine possession charged has been scheduled to be fixed today. Luchenko also asked Caughlin if he was able to estimate the amount of cocaine present in Vanlerberghe’s system at ‘‘the time we're particularly interested in But Caughlin said he wasn’t “‘comfortable’’ about making an . estimate. “*One can be fairly certain that the cocaine level would have been higher at that time. (Tests) suggest significant use of cocaine prior to A DAY IN COURT Befove Judge Reginald D. Gran- dison in West Vancouver provin- cial coart on Nov. 9: Richard Elmer Neff, 40, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 20 days in jail and placed on one year’s probation after he pleaded guilty to theft of merchandise valued at under $1,000 from Skopper’s Drug Mart and Wood- ward’s on Nov. 7 in West Van- couver. formerly of Raymond's Hair Salon Lynn Valley Centre DALLAS Welcomes past Present & future _ elients to Runaway Bay f 3103 Woodbine Drive Edgemont Village 986-0920 by Chery! Ziola Contributing Writer the blood sample being taken. (But) there’s no way I can estimate,’’ Caughlin said. Although the Crown couldn’: prove Vanlerberghe was impaired, Luchenko asked whether cocaine would affect Vanlerberghe’s driv- ing ability. “Cocaine impairs one’s ability to divide attention. Driving is a task that demands divided atten- tion,’’ Caughlin replied. “This leads to an increased risk of becoming involved in some type of motor vehicle mishap. One may not make the most ap- propriate judgment .. .to avoid a particular situation.”’ Moreover, Caughlin said co- caine users ‘‘overestimate their own abilitigs’’ and suffer ‘‘blurred vision."’ Defence attorney Joel Gold suggested to the court last Wed- nesday that Vanlerberghe, who has a history of dizzy spelis, may have suffered one of those spells immediately before the accident. A police witness also recounted to the court earlier on Friday morning how Vanlerberghe was seen alledgedly disposing of 22 grams of cocaine, leading to the possession charge being laid against Vanlerberghe. Vanlerberghe’s criminal negligence trial has been adjourn- ed until Dec. 9. WEEKDAYS DEC.7-18 BRIDGE HOUSE RESTAURANT 3650 Capilano Road North Vancouver For reservations call 287-3388 | Getting your AirCare inspection early can help you avoid delays. When you bring your vehicle to an AirCare Inspection Centre well before your licence and insurance expiry date, you avoid possible delays. 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