A young Bedford man charged in a fatal car-pedestrian collision in Dartmouth last winter has abandoned an application to get his bail conditions changed to allow him to drive.
Instead, with the consent of the Crown, a Dartmouth provincial court judge on Tuesday granted Matthew Gerald Kennedy, 25, an exemption to his 11 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew for employment purposes.
Judge Alanna Murphy also ordered him to provide a copy of his work schedule to police.
Kennedy is still not permitted to occupy the driver’s seat of any vehicle.
Gary Rogers, 57, died Feb. 22 after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Pleasant Street at about 5:50 a.m.
Kennedy was a radio and television student at the Nova Scotia Community College’s Ivany campus in Dartmouth at the time of the incident. He was arrested that afternoon in Halifax after police received a tip about a vehicle.
He faces charges of criminal negligence causing death and failing to stop at the scene of a fatal accident.
Kennedy has elected to be tried by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge alone. A preliminary inquiry will be held Dec. 17-20 in provincial court.
The inquiry will determine whether there is enough evidence for Kennedy to be committed to stand trial on the criminal negligence charge. The defence is not contesting committal on the other charge.
His $1,500 recognizance also requires him to remain in Nova Scotia and live at a residence on Stoneridge Court in Bedford. He cannot apply for a passport.
