An eight-week trial is scheduled to begin next Tuesday for a man charged with drinking and driving. The crash killed a 13-year-old boy on Canada Day in 2010.
Rodney Arens, 36, of Red Deer, is charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, three charges of refusing to provide a breathalyzer sample and breach of recognizance. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
His trial will run from April 22 – June 20 in Red Deer.
Arens was scheduled for trial in 2013, but a month before proceedings were to begin, he fired his lawyer.
In 2010, police said Anouluck ‘Jeffrey’ Chanminaraj, 13, was riding in a Honda Civic with his 18-year-old brother Jamie and 20-year-old sister Stephanie, who was driving, at about 11 p.m. on Canada Day when a Dodge Ram pick-up truck crashed into the passenger side of the car.
Their car was turning left through the intersection of Taylor Dr. and Kerry Wood Dr. when it was allegedly struck by a drunk driver operating the pick-up truck. The siblings were on their way to see the Canada Day fireworks.
Jeffrey was pronounced dead at the scene.
In addition, Arens has been in custody since last December after being arrested and charged for an incident that happened in Sylvan Lake.
On Dec. 21st, Sylvan Lake RCMP responded to a complaint of a possible impaired driver in Sylvan Lake. Upon locating the parked and running vehicle, police located the driver, slumped over the steering wheel. After waking the driver and speaking to him, he was arrested for impaired care or control of a motor vehicle.
Police have said after a search of the male and the vehicle, they located cash and crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana.
Arens is facing numerous charges stemming from the incident including impaired care or control of a motor vehicle, obstructing an officer and resisting arrest, failing to comply with conditions and drug related charges.
He has pleaded not guilty and has elected to be tried by provincial judge. He is scheduled for trial on these matters on Jan. 21.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
