Yellowknife (Mar 22/06) - The government of the Northwest Territories has filed a cross-claim in a lawsuit filed by Tasha Riffel, common-law spouse of the late Jason William Christensen.

Christensen died after crashing his snowmobile into the wall of a chute made for the dog sled races at Caribou Carnival in March 2003.

In a statement submitted to the Supreme Court, the GNWT denies liability in 22-year-old Christensen's snowmobile accident.

"The incident was solely and entirely caused by the negligence of the deceased Jason William Christensen," stated government lawyer, Peter Chemicki, in court documents. He is representing the GNWT in this matter.

Riffel is executor of Christensen's estate and is suing the GNWT, the City of Yellowknife, the Canadian Dog Derby, the Caribou Carnival Association and four paramedics who responded to the emergency call.

In her claim, Riffel states each party had a hand in the death of Christensen by not taking dog chutes apart or sufficiently warning snowmobilers riding on Frame Lake.

Riffel has asked for more than $2 million in damages. The documents were filed last spring. The GNWT blames Christensen for driving too fast and not watching where he was going.

The documents were filed on Feb. 17, 2006.

City coroner Percy Kinney reported that Christensen was driving between 80 and 100km/h. Before going out to the lake, the driver shared a joint of marijuana.

The government wants the city to be held accountable if the case goes forward.

The GNWT Department of Justice office and Caribou Carnival organizers refused to comment on the state of the case. Riffel now lives in British Columbia.

Austin Marshall, a lawyer representing Riffel, was not available for comment.

A court date has not yet been scheduled.