Brennan Ahenakew-Johnstone was 20-years-old when his remains were found on May 10, 2018. (Facebook)

By Ian Gustafson

Coroner Inquest

Fire investigator confident in origin of blaze during testimony of Ahenakew-Johnstone inquest

Aug 25, 2021 | 6:16 PM

A special investigator for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) said the fire that consumed Brennan Ahenakew-Johnstone’s car began underneath the vehicle.

Jeff Keyes was one of multiple witnesses who took the stand on day three of the coroner’s inquest. Keyes told the jury he examined the 2002 Pontiac Grand Am inside and out to determine where the fire started.

“I’m very confident we have our area of origin. I can speculate only on the ignition source but that’s where it occurred and I would speculate on how it occurred but I’m comfortable on that’s where,” Keyes said.

He knew there was impact damage underneath the car due to scraping and told the jury if the oil pan or gear blocks were compromised, lubricating oil would have been lost. The vehicle continuing to run could cause friction and that could cause it to ignite.

Corporal Robert Topping also testified Wednesday. As an accident reconstructionist for the RCMP, its his job to determine a sequence of events, potential speeds involved and areas of impact.

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He determined the vehicle drove off the roadway on the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and onto a field level with the road. He noted the vehicle did not lose control. It drove over a rock and through a barbwire fence and over a small bush and trees before coming to rest in a wooded area. The tire tracks were only visible in the field up to the burned area but Topping said he did not see evidence of acceleration or full braking. He also could not determine the speed of the vehicle or whether Ahenakew-Johnstone was wearing a seat belt.

“If the driver was wearing his seatbelt and didn’t remove it and the fire consumed the vehicle the buckle would still be in the latch plate on this side,” he said. “There’s a possibility that he was wearing a seatbelt, removed it and it burned or that the seatbelt wasn’t on. I wouldn’t be able to say for sure.”

He explained environmental conditions were ideal that day and there were no holes in the road. There was also no evidence of mechanical failure.

On Tuesday, forensic pathologist Shaun Ladham told the jury he found soot inside Ahenakew-Johnstone’s lungs which means he would have been alive in the vehicle when the fire started.

A toxicology report showed he had traces of cannabis in his system and an extremely high blood alcohol level of 371 mg.

Ladham added there was no evidence of injury to the body from natural or unnatural causes or trauma.

The inquest isn’t meant to place blame but rather establish facts surrounding Ahenakew-Johnstone’s death. At the end, a jury may make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

–

With files from Lisa Risom CTV News

Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12