A Gander man accused of dangerous driving causing death made his first appearance in Corner Brook provincial court this morning.

Twenty-one-year-old Patrick McCarthy was charged on November 21st of last year in connection with a fatal crash more than a year earlier.

The head-on collision occurred on the Trans-Canada Highway, about 10 kilometres west of the Hampden Junction, on October 22nd, 2023.

It claimed the life of 19-year-old Collin Sangster of Paradise, a graduate of Mount Pearl Senior High.

RCMP from Deer Lake and Corner Brook along with Hampden Ambulance Service and Deer Lake Fire Rescue responded to the crash, which occurred late afternoon.

The victim was the only person in his vehicle while McCarthy and a passenger escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police described driving conditions at the time as poor, with heavy rain and high winds.

An RCMP collision expert and the Chief Medical Examiner had been on the case, leading to the single charge 13 months after the crash.

Collin Sangster’s obituary, meanwhile, cited his love of playing guitar and his eclectic style, described by his dad as “Shed Chic” to “Indie Rocker.”

It also noted he was born in Alberta but always considered Nova Scotia, where he spent his early childhood, as his home. 

The criminal case has been set over for election and plea on March 4th.