A man in Canada has been ordered by the B.C. Supreme Court to pay Telus $186,952 for damages caused to the telecom company’s central office in Houston, B.C. The incident occurred in 2017 when the man, identified as A.J. William Fuller, crashed into the building.
Despite denying responsibility for the crash, Justice Jasmin Ahmad determined that Fuller was indeed the driver based on a balance of probabilities. Telus claimed that it cost $288,517.89 to restore the building, which is crucial for providing essential services such as 911 emergency services, internet, cellular, and landline services to the region. However, an expert report commissioned by Fuller stated that the damage was only $127,973.90. Justice Ahmad found faults on both sides and awarded damages amounting to $186,952 plus interest in favor of Telus.
The crash took place late at night on June 29th, 2017, with witnesses hearing a loud noise and seeing two individuals fleeing the scene. An RCMP constable investigating the incident found tire tracks leading from the road into a dirt area, indicating that the vehicle had driven off the road without attempting to brake or avoid the building. The constable identified the vehicle as one previously driven by Fuller. The vehicle was registered to Fuller’s mother, who confirmed that Fuller had possession of it at the time of the crash.
These details, along with Fuller’s history of driving the vehicle and his mother’s confirmation, led Justice Ahmad to hold Fuller accountable for the damages. The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Source: B.C. Supreme Court via Prince George Citizen
