A Tappen man has pled guilty to a series of criminal charges including impaired driving causing the death of his 18-month old daughter in a collision on the Trans-Canada Highway on Oct. 23, 2009.
Sophia Mary Taylor died at the scene of the three-car collision near Tappen, seven kilometers west of Salmon Arm.
Conan Lee Taylor, 29, was charged with impaired driving causing death, two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and two counts of causing an accident resulting in bodily harm.
Police investigation determined Taylor’s westbound sedan crossed the centre line of the highway into the path of an eastbound vehicle, which was being driven by a 44-year-old Sorrento woman.
After the initial collision, the vehicles were then hit by a half-ton truck pulling a trailer.
Police reported alcohol consumption by Taylor was suspected as a factor in the incident. There was also some question as to whether the infant was properly buckled into a car seat.
The crash took place at 7 a.m.
Both drivers were hurt in the collision, as was Taylor.
Taylor was being held in jail after his bail was revoked following his arrest for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from a peace officer after he attempted to evade the RCMP by driving at speeds of up to 160 km/h on Salmon River Road on June 2. He has also pleaded guilty to charges in connection with that incident and charges relating to an alleged case of assault and unlawful confinement.
While Taylor appeared in court yesterday after the Observer’s press time, it is expected he will not be sentenced until the completion of a pre-sentence report for the judge to review.