Staff Reporter, The Province

ABBOTSFORD -- Abbotsford Police say no charges will be laid in connection with a 2007 crash that killed six members of a pre-wedding party and injured 19 others.

The police department released Thursday the results of a yearlong investigation into the tragic incident.

"This crash is one of the most tragic events that the APD has had to investigate in its 53-year history," said police spokesman Const. Casey Vinet. "We are confident we have done everything we can to respond to the families who have been waiting so patiently for answers."

On Aug. 24, 2007 around 10:45 p.m. a group of about 35 people taking part in a pre-wedding procession was walking from a house in the 1600-block Lefeuvre Road to another house in the 1800-block Lefeuvre Road when it was hit from behind by a 1981 Chevrolet pickup.

An escort vehicle meant to follow the group had been delayed.

The two-lane road has no sidewalks -- the group was walking in the southbound lane of the two-lane road -- and no overhead street lights.

Six people died and 19 were injured.

Rubal Gill, 21, Harjinder Sanghera, 57, Satwinder Mahil, 57, Bhupinder Clair, 25, Ripudaman Dhillon, 32, and 13-year-old Damanpreet Kang died at the scene.

Police say the 71-year-old truck driver, Bachittar Singh Brar, had filled up at a gas station on Fraser Highway minutes before the crash and was on his way home to Langley via Lefeuvre Road when he came upon the wedding party.

Alcohol, drugs, fatigue, a medical condition, the grade of the road and environmental conditions were ruled out as factors in the crash.

Police also say there was no evidence that the pickup was travelling over the posted 60 km/h limit.

Investigators completed a report to Crown counsel considering charges of criminal negligence and dangerous driving under the Criminal Code, and driving without due care and attention under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act. However, based on the findings, the primary investigator did not recommend charges.

Crown counsel conducted an independent review of the report and concluded an offence had not been committed.

"This crash has affected our entire community and we would like to again express our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and to all those who has been impacted by this terrible tragedy," Vinet said. "It has touched a lot of lives, caused a lot of pain, and is a day that will never be forgotten."