Yellowknife (July 02/03) - RCMP have charged an employee of Rowe's Construction in connection with a snowmobile crash on the Mackenzie Winter Road that killed a 41-year-old Yellowknife resident.

Chris Henderson drove into a parked caterpillar at the side of the highway, about 20 kilometres south of Tulita one night in late January. He suffered severe neck and head injuries and died at the scene.

Tulita RCMP Cpl. Don Halina said Phillipe Scarfe faces three charges under the Motor Vehicles Act: failure to place warning devices on the vehicle in conditions of poor visibility, operating a vehicle without plate or valid stickers and operating a vehicle without registration. The total fine for all three charges is $259. Halina said no other charges will be laid. He said the vehicle's lack of warning lights was not the only factor in the accident.

"I don't think it was the sole thing that caused the accident. Had the flares been out, the accident may not have happened. By the same token, it may have happened."

Henderson, who was on a hunting trip to Deline, was legally impaired, said Halina.

Henderson and his wife Agnes Grandejambe were planning to move to Tulita. Henderson, who was a father of four, was making arrangements for the move from Tulita. Grandejambe was unavailable for comment as of press time.

A trial date is set for July 31 in Tulita.