A bus driver involved in a fatal collision in downtown Victoria in August 2012 won’t be facing criminal charges.
Stephen Ronald Finnerty was turning left from Humboldt Street northward onto Douglas Street on the morning of Aug. 13, when the tour bus he was driving allegedly struck Yuka Imaizumi in a crosswalk.
Imaizumi, 27, died at the scene. She was crossing the street on a walk signal at the time, according to witnesses.
The Victoria Police Department had recommended a charge of criminal negligence causing death to Crown counsel.
Instead, Finnerty will head to trial April 7 to face a lesser charge of driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Imaizumi’s death prompted criticism of pedestrian safety at the Humboldt/Douglas intersection, but no traffic alterations have since been made.
At the time, Victoria Coun. Lisa Helps suggested a pedestrian scramble – which stops all vehicle traffic to allow for pedestrian traffic in all directions – may be a viable option at the intersection.
