An Ontario man is facing dangerous operation and impaired charges in connection to a fatal May long weekend boat crash that left three people dead.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced the charges Wednesday – five months after the May 18 crash took the lives of Riley Orr, Juliette Cote and Kaila Bearman.
Just after 9:30 p.m. that day, a speedboat ended up on top of a fishing boat on Bobs Lake, which is just north of Kingston. Orr, Cote and Bearman, who were all between the ages of 21 and 23, died at the scene. Five other people, ranging in age from 21 to 44, were injured and taken to hospital.
On Wednesday, the OPP said it arrested 44-year-old Matthew Splinter of South Frontenac Township.
He’s been charged with three counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death, three counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm, impaired operation causing death and impaired operation causing bodily harm.
“To the families who lost loved ones, to those who suffered various degrees of injuries, and to everyone else who was impacted by this tragic collision, we hope that today’s announcement helps to bring some measure of resolution,” Det. Insp. Marty McConnell told reporters at a news conference in Hartington, Ont.
Splinter appeared in bail court Wednesday, handcuffed and wearing a navy blue hoodie with writing on it. The charges were read out, and a no-contact order for 77 people was issued. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
‘People screaming for help’
Recordings of emergency dispatches posted online shortly after the crash revealed a chaotic scene as paramedics, police, and firefighters raced to the area.
“OPP and ambulance are reporting two boats have crashed. They can hear people screaming for help,” a dispatcher from South Frontenac Fire and Rescue said around 9:45 p.m. May 18.
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Around 10:10 p.m., first responders found most of the crash victims wedged together on the boats next to a concrete dock near a few cottages. It is unclear at this time if the boat that was hit had lights on.
Two people were without vital signs, while another was in and out of consciousness, a firefighter told dispatch.
McConnell explained Wednesday why it took five months for police to lay charges.
“Death investigations are very complex. They require a great deal of resources and tragically, three lives were lost that day and serious injuries,” he said.
“With the resources involved in this, I wanted to ensure that a fulsome and fair investigation was brought forward to the courts.”
‘I was just hoping not to hear the crunch’
Tony Hammond’s family has been going to the area for over 40 years, with Hammond living along the water for the last 20.
The crash occurred on a narrow channel that connects Bobs Lake and Buck Bay, which Hammond overlooks when he is sitting on the deck of his home.
That’s where he was when he said he saw a group of young people listening to music onboard a boat, which wasn’t far from its dock, when he heard another boat approaching.
Everything was happening so fast, Hammond told Global News in the spring, that he did not have time to react.
“I was just hoping not to hear the crunch, and then I heard the crunch,” he said.
“Before any of the actual first responders (arrived), everyone was doing what they could. There’s no way to describe it, except that anyone who ever hears it knows that sound is go time.”
On Wednesday, McConnell thanked the community for their actions that night.
“So many local residents and cottagers ran to assist the victims after the collision and offered support afterwards,” he said.
“I also want to thank those that came forward to share information and assist our investigators.”
While charges have been laid, the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP’s Frontenac detachment.
— with files from Sawyer Bogdan and Catherine McDonald
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