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Man charged with impaired driving in crash that killed Calvin Tobin

The driver of a car involved in a fatal crash near Clarenville earlier this month was impaired, police say.

Travis Firmage, a 31-year-old man from Lethbridge, has been charged with impaired driving causing death in the crash that claimed the life of 25-year-old Calvin Tobin.

Tobin suffered massive trauma in the crash, which occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 1. He was pronounced dead the next morning, after an extensive effort to keep him alive.

Police say the car had been driving east when it crossed into the west-bound lane and collided head-on with a transport truck.

Firmage was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was treated and released.

On Tuesday, he made his first court appearance and was released on conditions.

Tobin's death sparked insurance battle with fisheries union

The accident has been in the news due to its timing — Tobin was one day late on dues owed to the Food, Fish and Allied Workers Union when the crash happened.

As a result, his family members say they were told by the union his insurance had expired and a $30,000 death benefit would not be paid out.

On Friday, one insurance company involved in the FFAW's group policy told the family that was not true.

The family is accusing the union of giving them false information, or simply not knowing the facts of its own group insurance plan.