Arrest warrant issued after no-show in fatal impaired case

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A man accused of killing a woman while driving drunk skipped his court hearing on Thursday, prompting the judge to issue a warrant for his arrest.

“These are very serious charges and he should be here,” said Moncton provincial court Judge Troy Sweet. “He doesn’t seem to be taking this seriously.”

Danny Roy, 28, of Grande-Digue, is charged in relation to a crash that happened in Grand-Barachois on Feb. 18, resulting in the death of 60-year-old Juliette Boudreau-Leger, of Grand-Barachois. He’s charged with impaired driving causing death, refusing to provide a breath sample in relation to the fatal crash, and two counts of violating New Brunswick’s Motor Vehicle Act by driving with an expired registration and no valid inspection certificate.

Roy was supposed to have a preliminary inquiry on Thursday, which is a hearing to determine if there’s enough evidence to order him to stand trial in the Court of King’s Bench. He previously elected trial by judge and jury.

But when it came time to start on Thursday, Roy wasn’t there. His lawyer, James Matheson, said he couldn’t explain the absence, adding that his client knew about the hearing.

“Mr. Roy is out of the country, I do know that,” said Matheson, adding he was ready to proceed. “I expected Mr. Roy to be here and he’s not present.”

The RCMP said in a news release at the time that members of the Shediac RCMP responded to a report of a three-vehicle collision between a pickup truck and two cars on Route 15 near Grand-Barachois. The driver and sole occupant of the first car died at the scene as a result of her injuries, police said. Four others, who were occupants in the other two vehicles, sustained minor injuries.

Police said the crash was believed to have occurred when the pickup truck travelling east lost control, crossed the centre line and collided with a car travelling west. A third vehicle, also a car travelling west, collided with the two other vehicles.