Does a failure to control a motor vehicle accident prevent crossing border into canada for vacation?

You should be fine. From what you described, I doubt you would have been charged with "Reckless Driving" or "Dangerous Driving" which could be considered a criminal offense in Canada. That's the key...would it be considered a crime in Canada?

You could contact the Canada Border Services Agency and ask them this question? They have been pretty good to answer my casual questions by email in the past. Within 72 hours, I usually would have my answer.

You need to find out what that same offense is treated as in Canada. If it is a felony then yes, they could deny you entry. Or basically to get more money, they could have you fill out some paperwork for an exception.

How long ago did it happen?

A few years back I went to Ontario for a concert and was concerned because I had a DUI on my record, even though it was 10 + years old. I didn't have a passport either but I gave them my birth certificate and they never asked about the DUI. Just what I was doing in Canada. So I had no issues.

Good Luck

In order to be criminally inadmissible to Canada you would need to be convicted of an offense, which if committed in Canada, is punishable by indictment. It doesn't matter what sentence you actually received or what the maximum is in your country. You are also criminally inadmissible of you have any outstanding penalties (include parole, suspended sentence, etc.) on your crime.

In Canada, the only main vehicle offense which carries an indictable sentence is "dangerous driving". Lesser offenses such as careless driving are provincial laws are not even covered in the criminal code. Baring fleeing the scene when someone was hurt, alcohol being involved (and over 0.08), refusing to give a breath sample, or driving without a license... this is highly unlikely to rise the point of dangerous driving.

However... you must indicated that you have an arrest/conviction on your customs declaration form (if flying) or if asked by a CBSA officer. You should also bring copies of your arrest and sentencing reports. You may wish to phone ahead to the crossing point and make sure you have any extra time for any connecting flights.