Impaired charges dropped against driver whose passenger later died during arrest

A Barrie, Ont., woman accused of impaired driving had charges withdrawn by the Crown five weeks after she was pulled over and arrested for suspected impaired driving.

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A Barrie, Ont., woman accused of impaired driving had her charges withdrawn by the Crown five weeks after she was pulled over and arrested for suspected impaired driving.

The 3 a.m. traffic stop later turned deadly. Bailey Varley, 25, was charged with driving while impaired March 6 along Dunlop Street West in Barrie. Her passenger, Edward Essue, later died after a Taser was used on him when police said he attempted to run away.

“Losing someone so close to me in such a sudden and tragic way has been incredibly traumatic and so difficult to navigate,” said Varley, who described still dealing with the shock of losing her friend.

What happened after Varley was taken away from the scene by police that night is now in the hands of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), whose investigators are trying to figure out how and why her 29-year-old passenger ended up dead moments later when Barrie police said a Taser was deployed during his arrest in a neighbouring yard.

“I’m very grateful that my charges were dropped in court,” said Varley, “but my heart still remains with Ed’s family and everyone who loved him.”

Varley says her friend was a passenger in her black BMW when police pulled her over along Dunlop Street West near Frances Street.

• SIU investigating death of man in Barrie, Ont.

Varley said she was stopped because of expired licence plates, but police said the vehicle was pulled over for suspected impaired driving.

Varley told CTV News the officer said he smelled alcohol and she admitted to having a few drinks hours earlier that night. She says she was arrested for impaired driving and taken from the scene while Essue was still in her car.

Barrie Police said Essue then ran from officers and was chased to a nearby backyard and a Taser was used on Essue, who died during the arrest.

“We are all still looking for answers and wondering what exactly happened that night,” said Varley.

The Innisfil man’s family told CTV News the coroner’s report found he died of cardiac arrest and was shot with a Taser in his left leg and chest.

• Loved ones identify Innisfil man who died following police use of Taser

Loved ones described Essue as the father of a young daughter, a devoted uncle, brother, and son who was gentle and peaceful.

Court records obtained by CTV News reveal Essue had previous run-ins with the law, including failing to comply with a probation order from October.

The Crown did not provide a reason for withdrawing the impaired driving charges against Varley, who cried upon hearing her charges were dropped.

“And I’m hoping that someday soon we will get the closure we deserve and Ed will get the justice that he deserves,” said Varley.

The SIU has not provided an update on its investigation since it began in early March.