EDMONTON -- The man accused of driving his van through a school classroom and killing one student in St. Paul, Alta., last week has been denied bail.

Richard Benson, 46, appeared in a St. Paul courtroom Thursday for a decision on his bail. He faces a string of charges including criminal negligence causing death and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm after 11-year-old Megan Wolitski died from her injuries in the Oct. 25 crash.

Students had barely begun their school day when the van went careening off the road and crashing through a Grade 6 French immersion classroom at Racette Junior High School.

Wolitski was one of three girls pinned underneath the van and airlifted to hospitals in Edmonton. She died the following day from her injuries while the other two girls remain in hospital-- one of them in critical condition.

Court records show that Benson has several prior driving offences, including a 2011 dangerous driving charge that is still before the courts.

His next court appearance is slated for Dec. 13.