Toronto police say a man has been charged in connection with a double fatal boat crash in late May that claimed the lives of two people.
It was on May 31 just before midnight when a boat travelling towards the Toronto Harbour in the Tommy Thompson Park area crashed with a rock island breakwater, causing it to capsize.
Eight people who were onboard the 30-foot pleasure craft motorboat with a cabin were rescued by the marine unit.
Police said a search was conducted to find two other people who were on the boat at the time of the collision.
A 34-year-old man and 24-year-old Megan Wu, identified to Global News by Wu’s parents, were both found dead and were pulled from the water.
“Unfortunately she was trapped in a capsized vessel and she was unable to escape the wreckage,” William Wu told Global News shortly following the boating incident.
On Friday, police said they arrested a 38-year-old Mississauga man in relation to the incident.
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Filip Grkovski is facing two counts each of criminal negligence causing death and impaired operation causing death.
Grkovski is also facing four counts each of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and impaired operation causing bodily harm.
He is scheduled to appear in a Toronto courthouse on Oct. 4.
Speaking to Global News on Friday, William Wu said he does not want his daughter’s death “to be in vain.”
“I want to make sure my daughter’s message is loud and clear,” he said. “With this holiday long weekend, the weather could bring out recreational boaters out onto the water. I want the entire boating community to take all necessary precautions this weekend.”
Wu urged boaters to “practice safe boating.”
“Wear a certified life vest – it could save your life,” he said. “Respect other boaters, respect other watercraft around you (and) bring your boat in before it gets dark.”
“Most importantly, do not operate your vehicle while impaired,” he continued. “I know that my daughter’s death could have been prevented and now is the time to ensure that the entire boating community takes the proper steps to prevent yet another boating tragedy.”
Wu said he does not want “yet another family to go through the trauma that my family had to endure.”
“I don’t want to see anyone lose their life this weekend,” he said.
— With files from Global News’ Hannah Jackson
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