Brandy Dawn Bishop will stand trial for impaired driving causing death, and five related charges, stemming from a motor vehicle collision that occurred four and a half years ago south of Courtenay.

The head-on collision on Highway 19A just north of Fanny Bay on Sept. 27, 2014, ultimately took the life of 91-year-old Margarete Obermann.

A preliminary hearing was conducted at Courtenay Law Courts March 29 to determine whether there was enough evidence to proceed with a trial. After hearing testimony from four witnesses, the presiding judge ruled Bishop to stand trial for charges of impaired driving causing death; dangerous driving causing death; cause an accident resulting in death; impaired driving causing bodily harm; dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and; cause an accident resulting in bodily harm.

Bishop was driving a vehicle involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle in which Obermann was the passenger.

According to Obermann’s family, she was in the car with her “best friend” Ruth Hoffman, when they were struck head-on.

Obermann suffered 27 broken bones as a result of the crash, and remained hospitalized until her death, three-and-a-half months later.

Bishop will return to court April 23, at which time a trial date will be set.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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