Man Slapped with $186K Bill for Crashing into Telus Office

A B.C. man has been ordered to pay $186,952 in damages after a B.C. Supreme Court Justice concluded he was the driver responsible for crashing into Telus’ central office in Houston, located just over 300 km west of Prince George.

On May 27, Justice Jasmin Ahmad ruled against A.J. William Fuller, who had denied being behind the wheel at the time of the accident. Justice Ahmad determined that, on a balance of probabilities, Fuller was indeed the driver, reports the Prince George Citizen.

The crash occurred shortly after midnight, way back on June 29, 2017. A resident near Pearson Road and Hagman Crescent, approximately 307 kilometers west of Prince George, reported hearing an “incredibly loud” noise and saw two individuals fleeing the scene.

When an RCMP constable arrived, he found tire tracks leading from the road through a dirt area and grass embankment, suggesting the vehicle had not braked or attempted to avoid the building. Photographs showed significant damage to both the exterior and interior of the Telus building.

The constable recognized the car as one associated with Fuller. That same night, he contacted the registered owner, Fuller’s mother, who confirmed that Fuller was in possession of the vehicle and identified the other person with him.

Fuller visited the RCMP detachment the next day but refused to give a statement. When Telus sued for damages, he denied liability, arguing that the company failed to produce an eyewitness to the collision.

Despite the lack of an eyewitness, Justice Ahmad found sufficient evidence to hold Fuller responsible. Fuller admitted during an examination for discovery that he had purchased the vehicle, although it remained in his mother’s name. This admission, along with the constable’s and his mother’s testimonies, convinced Ahmad of Fuller’s responsibility on a balance of probabilities, the standard of proof required in civil cases.

Much of the court’s decision focused on calculating the damage caused by Fuller. The Telus building, described as a “critical facility,” provides 911 emergency services and landline, internet, and cellular communications for the region.

Telus initially claimed it cost $288,517.89 to fix and repair the building. Fuller’s expert, however, estimated the damage at $127,973.90. Justice Ahmad ultimately awarded $186,952 in damages, plus interest, to Telus.

This whole incident sounds like it could be a scene out of the classic Seann William Scott and Ashton Kutcher movie, “Dude Where’s My Car?”.