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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A woman is being brought back to Yellowknife from Newfoundland after being charged in connection with a snowmobile collision last April that claimed the life of her common law spouse.

Lewis David Whalen, 63, was pronounced dead at Stanton Territorial Hospital on April 2, 2010, after he and the accused collided on snowmobiles on a lake 10 km north of Long Lake, according to RCMP Const. Kathy Law. The accused was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The accused, a 54-year-old woman who has since moved to Grand Falls, N.L., was charged last week with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death as well as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

A warrant was issued for her arrest, and upon learning of the warrant she turned herself in to RCMP in Grand Falls on Tuesday morning, where she remains in custody.

Under new Yellowknife RCMP policy, the detachment is not naming the accused.

"They'll (Yellowknife RCMP) be going to pick her up and bring her back at the end of this week," said Law, adding the accused is expected to make an appearance in territorial court at some point next week, though a date has not yet been set.

Law added the year-long delay in laying charges is because of the length of the investigation.

"It has to go to the Crown and they have to review the whole file and see if there's enough to lay charges," said Law.

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