Drunk boat driver is arrested over crash that killed two women, 21 and 22, and a man, 23, in summer vacation tragedy
The driver of a boat that allegedly caused the deaths of three people in Canada has been arrested and charged.
Matthew Splinter, 44, was taken into custody for allegedly causing the deaths of Kaila Bearman, 21, Juliette Côté, 22, and Riley Orr, 23, while intoxicated on May 18 at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the Bucks Bay neighborhood in Bobs. More.
Prosecutors allege the collision occurred between a speedboat and a fishing boat in a no wake zone – a narrow area in Buck Bay where boats must slow down to pass through, police said. Toronto star.
Five other people between the ages of 21 and 44 were also injured in the crash.
Images showed a red speedboat named ‘Y Wouldn’t Ya’ stacked on top of the wreckage in images taken by a photographer Austin Brettell.
Juliette Côté was working at a family interior design business, Côté Co., at the time of her death.
Kaila Bearman (left) and Riley Orr (right) were killed when a speedboat collided with their fishing boat
Splinter has been charged with three counts: dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death, dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm, impaired operation causing death and impaired operation causing bodily harm.
Detective Inspector Marty McConnell of the Frontenac Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police noted at a news conference that the “complexity of death investigations” was one of the reasons it took so long to identify a suspect.
“With the resources involved, I wanted to ensure that a thorough and fair investigation was brought to the courts,” he said.
“Tragically, three lives were lost and others were seriously injured, and I found that this met the criteria of a criminal offense that could be imposed in this case.
“We hope that today’s announcement will bring some measure of resolution.”
Footage showed a red speedboat with the name ‘Y Wouldn’t Ya’ on it stacked on top of the wreckage
Matthew Splinter of South Frontenac Township was taken into custody for allegedly killing Bearman, 21, Côté, 22, and Orr, 23, in a “drunk boating accident” on May 18
He also thanked Bobs Lake residents who assisted both after the collision and with the police investigation.
The suspect appeared in a Kingston courtroom Wednesday to confirm his identity and agree not to contact the victims, their families and witnesses.
He is currently being held pending a bail hearing. The Crown has told the court it plans to oppose his release Star.
Orr, 23, was from South Frontenac and attended Sydenham High School. He was an avid student-athlete who played sports throughout his youth, including minor football with the Syndenham Bulldogs and baseball with the Kingston Thunder.
Before his death, Orr worked with Frontenac Plumbing Service, who posted their own tributes on social media.
Bearman was a graduate of Regiopolis-Notre Dame High School and played volleyball and soccer
Orr, 23, was from South Frontenac and attended Sydenham High School. He was an avid student-athlete who played sports throughout his youth, including minor football with the Syndenham Bulldogs and baseball with the Kingston Thunder.
Côté was a graduate of LaSalle Secondary School and played field hockey and soccer
“Riley Orr joined FPS in April 2018, at the age of eighteen,” the statement said. ‘We had the privilege and pleasure of watching him develop into an outstanding young man, with so much potential. He will be greatly missed here.”
“How I will always remember this boy,” a friend wrote on a photo of Orr lying in the snow as a child. “Too many memories to count…lucky to have grown up with you and known you as a friend. You will be missed by many.”
Bearman and Côté also graduated from high schools in the Limestone School District.
Bearman was a graduate of Regiopolis-Notre Dame High School and played volleyball and soccer, while Côté was a graduate of LaSalle Secondary School and played field hockey and soccer.
“Rest in peace angel,” one woman wrote under a photo of herself and Bearman, who was described as a close friend. ‘Take care of each other up there.’
Another woman shared a selfie of herself and Côté and wrote: ‘Give heaven some hell babes, we will never forget.’
At the time of her death, Côté was working with her mother, Alison, at a family interior design business called Côté Co.
Officials have not provided further details about the collision and said the investigation is ongoing.