Driver Fined $1,800, Banned 15 Months for Fatal Kamloops Crash

UPDATE: A driver has been sentenced to a $1,800 fine and a 15-month driving ban following a tragic multi-vehicle crash that killed a Thompson Rivers University (TRU) volleyball player in Kamloops, B.C.. Colval Shaquille Abbinett, 30, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, leading to the death of Owyn McInnis, 22, on November 29, 2023.

The incident occurred near the TRU campus when Abbinett’s Dodge Ram collided with a Volkswagen Jetta. McInnis was killed, and two teammates sustained serious injuries, contributing to a total of seven people hurt in the pileup. The court heard that Abbinett may have fallen asleep or lost consciousness while driving, with witnesses reporting erratic speeds moments before the crash.

During the sentencing hearing, held on November 5, 2025, emotional victim impact statements were shared, including one from McInnis’s fiancée, who spoke about the couple’s lost future. A teammate recounted spending nearly five months in a coma and living with a permanent brain injury, unable to live independently.

Crown counsel Jessica Patterson described the case as “challenging,” explaining that the prosecution opted against seeking a harsher penalty due to the nature of Abbinett’s actions. “Criminal law in Canada doesn’t criminalize people for involuntary behavior,” Patterson stated, emphasizing the difficulty in proving intent given witness accounts indicating Abbinett was not conscious during the incident.

Despite the legal outcome, families of the victims expressed outrage over the leniency of the sentence. Chris Brinnen, father of one of the injured, voiced his frustration, noting that the punishment did not reflect the devastation caused by the crash. “It’s never going to be over for any of us, but we can all move past this part,” he said, focusing on his son’s recovery.

The case has sparked discussions around potential legislative changes, with B.C. considering ‘Xavier’s Law’, aimed at increasing penalties for drivers who cause fatalities.

As the community processes this tragedy, the impact on the victims’ families remains profound. The hearing has served as a somber reminder of the risks on the road and the need for increased awareness and responsibility among drivers.

The situation continues to develop, and authorities are expected to monitor community reactions closely as calls for justice persist.