Charges upgraded in Alberta school crash

The Crown has upgraded charges against a man accused of crashinghis minivan into a school in St. Paul, Alta., andkillinga Grade 6student.

Richard Benson, 46, nodded to family members as he entered St. Paul provincial court on Monday morning for his first appearance on the charges.

Benson was originally charged with three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possessing marijuana.

The first three charges have now been upgraded to onecount of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Benson isscheduled to return tocourt onThursday when bail will be addressed.

Benson was arrested after his minivan smashed through a ground-floor window, dropping onto Racette Junior High School students attending aFrench class on Thursday morning.

Three girls were flown to hospital in Edmonton in critical condition. One of them, Megan Wolitski, died Friday.

Five other students were taken to hospital in St. Paul.

Benson'sbrother believes the crash may have been the result of a seizure.

Ralph Benson said his brother has suffered from seizures ever since he was badly beaten in Mayerthorpe, Alta.,a decade ago.

CBC News has alsolearned that Benson has a lengthy criminal record with several driving offences, including adangerous driving charge from 2011that is scheduled for trial in April.