Jason Charles Gourlay, 40, is charged in connection to the hit and run death of Jennifer Gatey on Nov. 4, 2016. He was allegedly assaulted in prison today.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Facebook
March 10, 2017 - 12:57 PM
KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops man charged in connection to a fatal hit and run that killed a 16-year-old girl last year has been assaulted in prison.
Jason Gourlay, 40, was expected to be released from Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre on bail today, March 10.
iNFOnews.ca has confirmed Gourlay was involved in an alleged assault in prison this morning. It's not clear if charges have been laid in connection to the incident.
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General confirms in a statement that an assault occurred at the correctional centre this morning, but wouldn't identify any parties involved.
"Due to mandatory privacy laws, we are unable to get into specifics, however we can confirm that an assault occurred between inmates at Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre on March 10," the statement says. "It is BC Corrections’ number one priority to maintain a safe and secure environment. Any incidents of violence are not tolerated, and we take them very seriously."
The extent of Gourlay's injuries is not known and Interior Health spokesperson Mike Youds said the health authority could not confirm if Gourlay is a patient at Royal Inland Hospital.
"We can’t provide any patient information without patient consent due to privacy/confidentiality law," Youds says in an email.
Gourlay learned yesterday afternoon that he would be released on bail, with conditions that he attend a treatment centre in Nanaimo and reside with his uncle after his discharge, pay a $20,000 cash bail. There's also a condition of house arrest and he is not permitted to operate any kind of motor vehicle at any time.
Crown prosecutor Neil Flanagan consented to Gourlay's release.
Gourlay is charged with one count of failing to stop at the scene of an accident in relation to the Nov. 4, 2016 death of 16-year-old Jennifer Gatey. The allegation has not been proved in court.
Gatey was struck near the bus stop at the top of Pacific Way near Abbeyglen Way in Aberdeen. She died on scene, just hours before her 17th birthday.
Kamloops RCMP launched a four-month investigation into Gatey's death. Supt. Brad Mueller announced earlier this week that Gourlay had been arrested and charged in connection to the incident. Mueller said that during the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Gourlay's home which allegedly led to a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
A few days after the incident, Kamloops RCMP had taken Gourlay's Jeep into custody for forensic investigation, but Mueller said charges weren't laid until last Friday, March 3.
If convicted, the maximum penalty for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is life imprisonment.
Gourlay's next court date is expected to be April 13.
Find past stories on this hit and run case here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or call 250-319-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2017