By Troy Gillard

canada day 2016 crash

Guilty verdict in fatal crash east of Red Deer

Apr 12, 2019 | 2:28 PM

A young man charged in a crash east of Red Deer three years ago that killed two teens and injured two others has been found guilty.

Friday afternoon in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench, Justice Bill Hopkins convicted Dylan Beauclair, who is now 21, on all four counts against him, including two of dangerous driving causing death and two of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

The charges stemmed from a crash that occurred on the night of July 1, 2016.

RCMP investigation determined Beauclair’s vehicle was travelling southbound on Highway 808 when it blew passed a stop sign at Highway 595 southeast of Red Deer, narrowly missing a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle on Range Road 261.

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An RCMP analyst said Beauclair’s vehicle was travelling at speeds of 121 – 145 km/hr just prior to the crash.

The crash claimed the lives of 16-year-old Ashleigh Smith of Springbrook and 18-year-old John Dolliver of Penhold. Two other teens riding in the car were injured.

Trial testimony revealed Beauclair and girlfriend Shaylene Taberner, who was in the passenger seat, had gotten into an argument after two angry phone calls from her father requesting she get home as soon as possible.

The group of five travelling in Beauclair’s car planned to attend fireworks in Sylvan Lake, then head to a party near Joffre. However, rain in Sylvan Lake led the group to change plans and proceed straight to the party.

Soon after, Taberner’s father called leading to a heated exchange between the couple and the group of friends heading back towards Springbrook.

Sentencing for Beauclair is scheduled for August 15, 2019 where multiple victim impact statements are anticipated to be read.