Charges against a man accused in a motor vehicle collision that took two young people’s lives have been upgraded.
Lawyer for Richard Douglas Bell, Hugh Sommerville, appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, July 15. He was in custody at the Calgary remand after having his bail revoked.
Bell was charged with two counts of dangerous operation causing death, impaired operation causing death, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and refusal to provide a breath sample.
A replacement information was brought into court that includes two charges of criminal negligence causing death.
The allegations come from an event that occurred on June 17, 2022.
Two cars were northbound on Highway 21 when the second rear-ended the first, causing it to drive across the road where it was hit by an oncoming semi-truck. The two occupants of the first car, a 20-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, were declared deceased at the scene.
The couple who perished were identified as Macy Boyce and Ethan Halford.
Bell’s bail has been revoked because the fatal collision happened while he was on bail for prior incidents. He is facing two charges of being unlawfully in a dwelling and threats to cause death.
Bell will be in court on July 27 for show cause.