A Placentia Bay man has pleaded not guilty in connection with a fatal hit and run in St. John’s on Regatta Day last year.
Thirty-eight-year-old Mark Duke of Fox Harbour is charged with impaired driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene.
It happened around 10 a.m. on August 7th last year, at the intersection of Hamel Street and Freshwater Road.
It’s alleged Duke struck a 61-year-old man with his Dodge Ram pickup, took out a light pole, and sped from the scene.
Witnesses, however, helped lead police to the truck and its driver in a downtown parking lot.
The victim was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.
(VOCM News/file)
Weather at the time was ideal for Regatta Day with clear skies and dry pavement.
The defence was awaiting results of DNA obtained by police from the accused.
But with that now in hand, not guilty pleas were entered today on both charges.
Duke, who remains free on bail, has chosen trial by provincial court judge, with five days set aside for the matter.
The dates for the trial will be shored up when the case is called again on April 25th.
