Man charged in Saskatchewan flag person's death

RCMP have charged Keith Dunford, 44, of Regina, with criminal negligence causing death in the highway death in August of Ashley Dawn Richards of New Brunswick.

Richards, 18, who came from Lakeside, N.B., was working as a flag person with a road crew near Midale, Sask., when she was struck by a passing sport-utility vehicle in an orange zone.

Her fiancé has said that Richards, who was pregnant at the time, had recently moved with him to Saskatchewan.

The case sparked a public outcry and led to police stepping up patrols and ticketing in orange zones.

Dunford has also been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

He is a professional truck driver, but he was driving his personal vehicle at the time of the crash, CBC News has learned.

Dunford was arrested at the scene of the collision and later released. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in provincial court in Weyburn, Sask., at 10 a.m. CST on Tuesday.

If convicted, criminal negligence causing death carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, while dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum 14-year sentence.

There is no minimum sentence for either offence.