A Lake Country man is facing a series of charges after allegedly running down a newspaper carrier while trying to evade police.
Nathan Daniel Fahl, 24, has been charged with Dangerous Driving Causing Bodily Harm, Impaired Driving Causing Bodily Harm, Failure to Stop at Accident with Vehicle, Flight Causing Bodily Harm, Assault a Peace Officer with a Weapon and Operate a Motor Vehicle While Disqualified.
It’s alleged that Fahl failed to stop for police at a road check on Springfield Road at Leckie Roads Friday, Dec. 6 and carried on to strike down Steve Kania who was out delivering newspapers at Dundee Road at the intersection of Dundas Road.
“The Eagle Talon impacted a fire hydrant after striking the pedestrian and came to a rest,” said Const. Kris Clark.
“Police officers immediately attended to the pedestrian and called for an ambulance as he appeared to have suffered serious injuries. The 41 year old Kelowna man was taken to hospital in critical condition.”
Kania, 41, is in Vancouver and is facing a long road to recovery.
Kania suffered injuries to his legs, head and spine.
Surgery on spinal injuries has been completed at Vancouver General Hospital, and his mother has said that doctors have asked he stay nearby so they can help him with the physiotherapy that’s to follow.
Kania’s family is financially disadvantaged, so they’re struggling to find a way to be there with him during his hour of need.
Kania’s brother Richard was given a Greyhound ticket, and with $100 in his pocket left for Vancouver to be by his brother’s side.
His mother is in Kelowna, and the owner of KP Tirecraft has outfitted her with a set of winter radials, in case she needs to drive to Vancouver.
The Capital News will be finalizing details on a trust where funds to help the Kania family can be directed. More information on that will be made available in next Tuesday’s paper. (Cash donations may be dropped off at the Capital News office, 2495 Enterprise Way. Any cheques should be made payable to Richard Dahle or Glenn Beaudry with the Capital News circulation department. For further information about donations, call 250-763-7575.)
The investigation into the case is ongoing.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC was notified and immediately after Kania was struck down, and asserted jurisdiction over the investigation into the actions of the police while the Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit continued the concurrent criminal investigation.
Anyone with any information who has yet to speak with police is asked to call the Kelowna RCMP, Cst Joanne Meyers at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.
Fahl remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Court on Jan. 6, 2014.
