Days after a van crashed into the classroom of a school in St. Paul – critically injuring two students, and killing a third – a number of charges have been upgraded.
On Monday, CTV News learned Richard Benson, 46, is now facing one charge of criminal negligence causing death, and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
The three charges replace two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and one charge of dangerous driving causing death.
Benson is facing a total of five charges, which also include one count of resisting arrest, and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
The accused was taken into custody on Thursday, after a vehicle crashed into a Grade 6 classroom Racette Junior High School in St. Paul at about 9:30 a.m.
Three students were seriously injured in the collision – all were airlifted by STARS to hospital in Edmonton with serious injuries, five more were also injured but were treated in St. Paul.
On Friday, CTV News learned 11-year-old Megan Wolitski succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
Students from Racette Junior High will return to class in a nearby high school Tuesday.
Benson appeared in a St. Paul courtroom Monday, but a final decision on his bail has been reserved until Thursday.
With files from Bill Fortier
