Brandy Dawn Bishop leaves the Courtenay Law Courts building Friday afternoon.

Brandy Dawn Bishop leaves the Courtenay Law Courts building Friday afternoon.

Woman to stand trial for impaired driving causing death from 2014

Charges stem from head-on collision on Highway 19A, north of Fanny Bay

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.

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; causing an accident resulting in death; impaired driving causing bodily harm; dangerous driving causing bodily harm; and causing an accident resulting in bodily harm.

Bishop was allegedly 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.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Comox Valley Record