Owyn McInnis, Image credit: X/@GoTRUWolfPack

By Michael Reeve

TWO WEEK DELAY

TRU volleyball crash legal proceedings again delayed as driver accused searches for legal representation

Jun 5, 2025 | 1:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — The driver involved in the fatal 2023 crash along McGill Road that killed a TRU WolfPack athlete and injured two others was back in a Kamloops courtroom Thursday (June 5) morning.

Colval Abbinett has been charged with one count of driving without due care and attention as well as one count of driving without reasonable consideration following the Nov. 29, 2023 crash that killed Owyn McInnis, and left Riley Brinnen and Owen Waterhouse with life-changing injuries.

Thursday was the 14th time the case has appeared on the docket, but appearing virtually before Justice Mariane Armstrong, Abbinett said he needed his case to be pushed further down the road.

Abbinett told Armstrong that he no longer has legal representation, and that for the past couple of months he has been attempting to find a new lawyer.

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Kamloops' Trusted Property Manager - Rohit Kumar

May 20, 2025

Guide Dogs

CNIB in need of volunteers to foster future service dogs across Canada

4h ago

The Tattle of Hastings

THE TATTLE OF HASTINGS: Olynyk talks cowboy boots, Spurs, becoming a dad, his father's bout with cancer

Jul 23, 2025

He stated Thursday that he has been unable to find a new lawyer because of the high profile nature of the case, and that “multiple” lawyers have declined to take him on as a client.

While Abbinett also told the courts in January that he intended to plead guilty, that arraignment was never completed as Abbinett lost his legal representation. That means an arraignment is still need in order for the case to proceed further.

Crown lawyers presented a two week continuance to the Armstrong, who said the next hearing will be considered peremptory meaning Abbinett will be required to plead whether or not he has secured the services of a lawyer.

That next court appearance is scheduled for the morning of June 19 at the Kamloops Law Courts.