Construction company charged in Barrie, Ont., crash that killed 6 appears in court
It's been nearly seven months since a tragic crash claimed the lives of six young adults in a Barrie, Ont. construction site.
On Monday, ConDrain Group, charged in connection with the crash, appeared in court, represented by Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, a high-profile law firm in Toronto.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
ConDrain is facing six counts of criminal negligence causing death.
Barrie police allege the company failed to properly sign and barricade the construction site, causing the deaths of Curtis King, 22; River Wells, 21; Jason Ono-O'Connor, 23; Luke West, 22; Jersey Mitchell, 20; and Haley Marin, 21.
Police believe the group was on their way to Georgian Downs in Innisfil on the morning of August 27, 2022, when the vehicle plunged down a 20-metre-deep concrete pit in the construction zone along McKay Road, east of County Road 27.
Officers searching for the six missing individuals found the crash site more than 20 hours later.
According to the City of Barrie, the area was the site of an infrastructure project with new water mains and sanitary sewers being built at McKay Road and Veterans Drive.
Monday's appearance marked the second since police charged ConDrain on January 12.
Barrie police noted that a "unique set of circumstances" led to the company, not a specific individual, being charged in this "very complex investigation."
How the company failed to sign and barricade the site properly will now be argued in the courtroom.
Lawyers representing the company did not offer a comment.
Following the charges being laid, ConDrain told CTV News it would not comment on the case as it is before the courts.
The City of Barrie, meanwhile, said it "has cooperated fully with Barrie police with respect to all aspects of their investigation into this tragic accident."
The case against ConDrain will continue to unfold in the coming months, with the matter scheduled to return to court on April 17.
The allegations against Con-Drain Group have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.