A Saskatchewan man charged in connection with a fatal two-vehicle collision near Alcurve was behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration more than twice the legal limit, according to documents obtained by BorderPulse.
Layne Pahtayken, 25, of Onion Lake faces two counts of dangerous operation causing death in connection with the Nov. 16, 2024, collision at the junction of Highways 17 and 3. Two people died at the scene. Two others were seriously injured.
The charges are the only ones Pahtayken faces, despite official records confirming his blood alcohol concentration measured 184 mg% at the time of the collision. The legal limit in Canada is 80 mg%.
A final report issued May 27 by the RCMP‘s “F” Division, in response to a formal complaint filed through the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission, confirmed police obtained a warrant, collected blood samples from the accused, and submitted all evidence to the Provincial Crown for charge assessment.
Crown counsel concluded there was insufficient admissible evidence to proceed with a charge of impaired operation causing death.
The report does not explain what made the evidence inadmissible.
Pahtayken was not licenced to drive at the time of the collision, according to the Saskatchewan Vehicle Collision Report for the incident. The vehicle he was driving was uninsured.
Roger Ogram, 71, of Lloydminster was killed in the collision. His passenger, Kenneth Best, 72, was seriously injured. Colton Stanley, 27, of Lloydminster, a passenger in Pahtayken’s vehicle, also died at the scene.
The RCMP’s internal review found Cpl. Leon Hoffman of the Maidstone detachment conducted a reasonable investigation. The review noted Hoffman liaised with the Chief Coroner’s office, an RCMP collision reconstructionist, and the Provincial Crown before charges were recommended.
The CRCC report cited the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling in Hill v. Hamilton-Wentworth Police Services Board, noting the legal standard requires a reasonably thorough investigation – not a perfect one.
A family member who filed the CRCC complaint declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
BorderPulse has submitted questions to Saskatchewan Justice Minister asking Crown counsel to explain what evidentiary or legal issue prevented the impaired driving charge from proceeding. No response had been received at time of publication.
Pahtayken is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. A court date was not available at time of publication.
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