(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Pete McIntyre

Vernon

Charge of pointing laser at plane stayed

Apr 17, 2023 | 11:00 AM

A charge against a Vernon man accused of pointing a laser at a passing airplane has been stayed.

Blake Everett Dergez had been accused under the Aeronautics Act of endangering the safety or security of an aircraft in flight.

The charge consideration was reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC).

“On February 6, 2023, the Crown entered a stay of proceedings in Mr. Dergez’ matter,” Nathalie Houle, media relations advisor with the PPSC told Vernon Matters.

As to why the charge was stayed:

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“The PPSC has a continual obligation to assess whether files meet the charge approval threshold, a reasonable likelihood of conviction and the file is in public interest,” Houle said.

Dergez was arrested for the alleged offence in Becker Park in September 2021 after a complaint by Nav Canada to RCMP about someone pointing a green laser at planes flying over Vernon.

Meanwhile, the B.C. Prosecution Service says Dergez, born in 1981, will return to provincial court in Vernon May 1 to face a number of criminal charges related to the incident.