A Nanaimo man has been charged following a year-long investigation into a two-vehicle crash that took the life of a woman in 2015.
Heidi Barbara Plato, 51, of Ladysmith, the driver and sole occupant of a pickup truck, died Nov. 10, 2015, on Yellow Point Road when her truck collided with another pickup near Gould Road and Thomas Place.
Dustin Dennis Zinter, 40, the driver of the other truck has been charged with several criminal code offences that include dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
Police allege Zinter fled following the accident and was found by investigators a short distance from the scene.
The investigation, which included interviews with multiple witnesses, completion of RCMP traffic analyst reports, gathering and analysis of forensic evidence resulted in a warrant issued Nov. 1 for Zinter’s arrest.
According to police, Zinter was suspected of being impaired by alcohol while operating a motor vehicle when he was arrested Nov. 2. He was charged with refusing to provide a breath sample and has been held in custody since his arrest this month.
Zinter appeared in Nanaimo provincial court Tuesday. His next court appearance is Nov. 29.