Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Beach Radio
Appeal Denied In Fatal Boat Crash

Appeal Denied In Fatal Boat Crash

Jan 30, 2019 | 12:45 PM

Story by Ashley Legassic/CFJC Today

It’s been more than eight years since Leon Reinbrecht was charged in connection to a fatal boat crash in the Shuswap. Now his legal saga appears to finally be over.

Reinbrecht was convicted of criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence causing bodily harm in 2015, and shortly after that he began the appeal process.

A new decision by the BC Court of Appeals this morning (Jan. 30) dismisses Reinbrecht’s appeal, stating any delays between the time he was charged and the completion of trial were either reasonable or justified.

“In the result, after deducting the two discrete events and, if necessary, considering the complexity of the case, the net total delay was in my view reasonable,” said Madam Justice D. Smith in the ruling which two other justices agreed with. “In any event, under the transitional exceptional circumstance any marginal delay that may have exceeded the presumptive ceiling was justified. Accordingly, I would dismiss the appeal.”

Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
16h ago
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
16h ago
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
20h ago

Reinbrecht was operating a speed boat near Magna Bay in July 2010 when he crashed into a houseboat on the water, killing operator Ken Brown and injuring eight others.

To read the full appeal decision, go here.

by Beach Radio

Other Matters

Municipal election
Local media business leader to run for city council
Local businesswoman Nikki Csek is taking a run at Kelowna City Council in the October election.The founder and CEO of Csek Creative and NowMedia Group, said her campaign isn't the beginning of her service to Kelowna but simply the next way she hopes to serve.She's served on boards, chaired organizations, and volunteere...
14h ago
Read More
Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
The province's fruit industry advocacy group has called for a halt in the current water management approach for local agricultural properties. As of July 13, Greater Vernon Water (GVW) was authorized to shut off water service to agricultural properties that had reached their seasonal water allocation limit.B.C. Fruit G...
16h ago
Read More
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
A new supportive housing project in Vernon will get some municipal support.At their meeting on Monday, July 20, Vernon City Council was asked to waive the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for the project at the site of the former Polson Park Motel on 24th Avenue.City staff recommended waiving $125,518 in fees and coveri...
17h ago
Read More
New Charge
Man accused in Bailey McCourt killing faces additional charge
The man accused of killing Bailey McCourt is facing another criminal charge.James Plover appeared in court Wednesday on an allegation he breached a no-contact order in Pitt Meadows last September.Plover is already charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, who was allegedly attacked with a ham...
18h ago
Read More
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
A tractor fire at a farm north of Lumby has claimed the life of one person.At around 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, police and firefighters were called to a farm in the 1300-block of Trinity Valley Road for a report of an out of control fire.The fire started from a tractor and baler then spread to the fields, nearby tre...
20h ago
Read More
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
A North Okanagan resident has been fined under the Wildfire Act.At around 8 a.m. Friday, July 17, Lumby Fire Department were called out to a rural property east of the community for a burning complaint.Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a man had lit a fire, contrary to the existing ban, and was burning garbag...
21h ago
Read More
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
The water level at Lake Okanagan has dipped to a new low.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the daily water level has dropped to its lowest point on record dating back 80 years. The black line indicates the current daily water level for Lake Okanagan, which was at a historic low (Image Credit: B.C. River Forecast Cent...
21h ago
Read More
Crime Stats
Kelowna's crime severity ranking improves, mayor says work remains
Kelowna's ranking on the national Crime Severity Index has improved, but Mayor Tom Dyas says the city still has work to do on community safety.The 2025 Crime Severity Index shows Kelowna ranked 20th out of 71 B.C. municipalities with populations above 10,000, and 273rd out of 1,039 municipalities measured across Canada...
21h ago
Read More
Poor air quality
Wildfire smoke blankets region
It may be a stay-inside kind of summer day in the Okanagan - but not because of the heat.Thick wildfire smoke has settled over the valley, with a special air quality advisory in effect across much of B.C., including the Central Okanagan. Environment Canada says conditions in Kelowna are currently rated moderate, but th...
22h ago
Read More

What Matters

Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
16h ago
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
16h ago
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
20h ago
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
21h ago
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
21h ago