Driver Pleads Guilty in 2020 Fatal Crash on Alaska Highway near Whitehorse
Published 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Devin Edmiston, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death and one count of dangerous operation causing bodily harm in a case related to a fatal crash on the Alaska Highway near Whitehorse in July 2020.
The guilty plea was entered before Territorial Court Judge Karen Ruddy on November 1. Edmiston was arrested in June 2021 after the collision that resulted in the deaths of 43-year-old motorcyclist Travis Adams and 47-year-old passenger Nicole Sanderson.
According to court documents, Edmiston and Sanderson were visiting the Yukon when the crash occurred near Marsh Lake. Edmiston was driving Sanderson’s vehicle while attempting to overtake an SUV. He clipped the SUV and struck Adams’ motorcycle, leading to both fatalities. The vehicle flipped over, injuring Sanderson and another passenger, Zachery McCutcheon. Sanderson died at the scene.
Authorities stated that no one in the SUV was seriously injured, and Edmiston was unlicensed and not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. Witnesses reported that both vehicles were traveling above the speed limit.
The Crown may present further information regarding sentencing, with a hearing yet to be scheduled. Civil suits against Edmiston have been filed by the victims’ families; these claims are unproven in court.
For further inquiries, contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com.