AFTER a nearly two-year-long investigation, the driver in a rollover crash that seriously injured a female passenger in June 2020 has pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and has received a two-year sentence, Burnaby RCMP announced on Tuesday.

On June 5, 2020, at 1 a.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to a report that a Dodge Durango had rolled over at Gilmore Avenue and Halifax Street. Frontline officers found an unconscious female outside the vehicle who police believed was a passenger. The vehicle had come to a stop after striking two hyrdo poles, a light standard and a traffic light.

The male driver fled the scene and was located nearby by frontline officers. The female, an 18-year-old Quebec resident, was transported to hospital where she was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The male driver, a 31-year-old Quebec resident, was arrested and later released pending further investigation. Both alcohol and speed were believed to be factors in the collision.

Burnaby RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team took conduct of the investigation. Several charges were approved in May 2021, but the suspect had left the province and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest.

In January 2022, with the assistance of Laval Police, 33-year-old Quebec resident, Moussa Daoui, was arrested and returned to B.C.

Daoui faced charges of fail to stop after an accident causing bodily harm, impaired operation causing bodily harm (two counts) and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

On May 30, Daoui pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and received a two-year prison sentence.

“Despite the suspect leaving the province, our Criminal Collision Investigation Team never gave up on ensuring the driver would face these charges in a B.C. courtroom,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj.