Newmarket man charged with impaired driving causing death granted bail

A Newmarket, Ont., man accused of impaired driving in a crash that killed a Beeton, Ont., father was released on $20,000 bail after appearing in court on Wednesday.

Police said 28-year-old Stuart Ellis, who is the son-in-law of a York Regional Police member, was travelling southbound on Highway 48 around 5:50 a.m. on Nov. 13 just south of Davis Drive near East Gwillimbury when a northbound vehicle veered into the centre lane and collided with his car.

READ MORE: Son-in-law of Ontario cop ID’d as victim of suspected fatal impaired driving crash on Hwy. 48

Police said Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle, identified as 20-year-old Tyler Nielsen, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Authorities said Nielsen was arrested and charged with impaired driving causing death, take vehicle without consent and drive disqualified.

When asked leaving the courthouse if they had anything to say to the Ellis family, Nielsen’s father Danny replied, “I’m very sorry for their loss.”

READ MORE: Impaired driving suspected after 1 dead in head-on crash in East Gwillimbury

During a court appearance last month, Nielsen’s family left without commenting, but a family friend, who did not want to give his name, told Global News he tried to help Nielsen after his licence was disqualified last year.

“He went to a rehab after his disqualified license. I had him stay with me for a couple of weeks just to get them on board,” the friend said.  “He had a situation and he sorted it out.”

The friend said he was saddened to hear that Nielsen had been arrested again last week, this time for impaired driving causing death.

VIDEO: OPP investigating a fatal head-on collision near Newmarket

1:46 OPP investigating a fatal head-on collision near Newmarket

–With a file from Catherine McDonald

–With a file from Catherine McDonald