By Sheldon Spackman

Trial underway in Canada Day 2016 crash that killed two teens

Feb 21, 2019 | 1:10 PM

Trial is underway for a young man charged in a Canada Day 2016 crash east of Red Deer that claimed the lives of two teens.

Dylan James Beauclair, 21, faces four counts including two of dangerous driving causing death and two more of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

Ashleigh Smith, who was 16, and John Dolliver, who was 18, both died in the single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Highway 595 and Range Road 261 late on the night of July 1, 2016.

Beauclair entered not guilty pleas Thursday morning in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench prior to the start of his two-day judge-alone trial, which began with Crown prosecutor Aleksandra Simic calling two witnesses to the stand.

The first witness, Lexie Martin, testified that she and Beauclair, along with Shaylene Taberner, Smith and Dolliver planned to attend the Canada Day fireworks in Sylvan Lake on July 1, 2016, then attend a party near Parkland Industries in Red Deer.

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After arriving in Sylvan Lake, Martin recalled it started to rain, so the group proceeded to go to the party instead.

Martin told court Taberner was driving Beauclair’s vehicle when Taberner received an angry call from her father, who was upset she was out with Beauclair and wanted her to come home immediately.

Martin said the group then decided to head back to Red Deer, testifying the phone call led to an argument starting in the vehicle between Beauclair and Taberner.

Taberner took the stand and testified she was supposed to be the designated driver that evening.

Taberner told court she was dating Beauclair at the time of the incident and confirmed she is now living with him.

She said the angry phone call from her father led to a ‘huge fight’ between her and Beauclair, testifying that soon afterwards fellow passenger Dolliver needed to use the bathroom.

Taberner says the group of friends then suggested Beauclair drive them all back to Red Deer so he could get Taberner home faster.

On the way back to Red Deer, Taberner said Beauclair was driving and she sat in the front passenger seat but couldn’t recall much more than that.

“I faintly remember blowing a stop sign, then I remember waking up and a nice lady was holding my hand.”

Testimony from two more Crown witnesses is anticipated before the trial is due to wrap up on Friday.