The trial for a Fox Harbour man charged with impaired driving causing death heard today from the officer who arrested him shortly after the crash on Regatta Day last year.
Constable Ryan Hawco had been scouring downtown streets looking for the dark grey Dodge Ram responsible for the collision.
It happened at the intersection of Freshwater Road and Hamel Street just after 9:30 in the morning on August 7th of last year, and claimed the life of 61-year-old Hubert Noftall.
Hawco responded, and quickly viewed video of the crash from a nearby business, showing the pickup hit a man from behind, take out a light pole, and leave the scene.
Within minutes, Hawco found the damaged truck parked in a lot on the west end of George Street, not running but with the keys still in the on position.
Hubert Noftall (Photo courtesy Caul’s Funeral Home)
A witness told him he saw the driver get out and walk away, then pointed out the suspect, 39-year-old Mark Duke, as he walked toward them.
In provincial court this morning, Hawco testified Duke was staggering and “wobbly” with bloodshot eyes, adding he later fell asleep several times during drug and alcohol testing at RNC headquarters.
Duke was charged with impaired by drug or alcohol or combination of both, and leaving the scene, and taken to the city lockup.
There, Hawco said Duke downplayed the seriousness of the situation.
“All I did was write off my truck,” Hawco recalled Duke saying as they waited in the police car. “I didn’t hurt anyone.”
The trial continues Thursday in provincial court.
(VOCM News/Aug. 7, 2024)
