A year after a head-on collision that left one man dead, the Oliver woman behind the wheel of the other vehicle has been charged with causing his death and driving while high.
Vanessa Lameiras, 30, was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, impaired operation of a conveyance causing death (combination of alcohol and drugs), and impaired operation of a conveyance causing death (blood concentration ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ Methamphetamines).
The charges were sworn in on July 31, 2025, exactly a year after the fatal crash.
"Thorough investigations take time, and itÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s important that the community is updated when they are complete," said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, BC Highway Patrol. "We hope the court process brings some measure of closure to the family and friends of the victim."
An RCMP press release at the time asking for help from the public and any witnesses described the crash as happening after Lameiras' Ford Explorer crossed the centre line into oncoming traffic on Highway 97 near Road 21 in Oliver.
The 39-year-old driver and lone occupant of the Toyota Echo that Lameiras collided with was killed.
After nine months of investigation, BC Highway Patrol ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ Keremeos forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS), which approved charges against Lameiras, who was arrested on July 31 and appeared in court on Aug. 6.
Her next scheduled court appearance is on Aug. 20.
