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Accused in West Van hit-and-run dies before verdict

The West Vancouver man accused of a hit-and-run on a cyclist has died. William Charleton McEachnie, 49, was due in court on Jan. 3 to hear the judge’s ruling following his trial for failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving bodily harm.
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The West Vancouver man accused of a hit-and-run on a cyclist has died.

William Charleton McEachnie, 49, was due in court on Jan. 3 to hear the judge’s ruling following his trial for failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving bodily harm. The hit-and-run occurred on June 10, 2017 in the 1900 block of Bellevue Avenue.

Police discovered McEachnie’s body in his Bellevue Avenue home on Dec. 25.

The exact cause of death is under investigation by the BC Coroners Service. Police say it is not considered suspicious.

When an accused dies before the conclusion of a trial, typically the Crown “abates” or abandons the case.