Charlottetown man charged with impaired driving causing death

A 25-year-old Charlottetown man has been charged with two counts of impaired driving causing death in connection to a single-vehicle crash Aug. 2 in Albany, P.E.I.

Prince District RCMP said they responded to the crash at about 4:40 a.m., and found four people in the vehicle.

A 23-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and a 24-year-old man later died of his injuries. Another occupant suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

On Wednesday, police said in a news release that Thommachen Thomas Panackal was charged with two counts of impaired driving causing death, two counts of impaired driving with over 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood causing death, and driving while prohibited.

RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore said it isa "shocking incident" that affects all Islanders.

"We hope Islanders use this as a reminder that they can play a key role in helping to improve road safety," Moore said.

"If you see a suspected impaired driver, we ask you, please call 911. It is an emergency and definitely worth calling police about."

Panackal is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Summerside on Sept. 25.