Criminal charges have been filed in connection with the fatal boating accident in Bobs Lake

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have laid a dozen criminal charges against a South Frontenac Township man accused of causing a boat collision that killed three people in May.

Police arrested 44-year-old Matthew Splinter on Tuesday and charged him with three counts: dangerous operation of a means of transport causing death, dangerous operation of a means of transport causing bodily harm, impaired operation causing death and disorderly conduct. operation resulting in personal injury.

The charges stem from a fatal collision between a speedboat and what police called a fishing boat on Bobs Lake on May 18.

Det. Insp. Marty McConnell of the OPP’s Frontenac detachment announced the charges against Splinter at a news conference Wednesday. McConnell said the complexity of death investigations was a factor in the delay in filing charges.

“With the resources involved, I wanted to ensure that a thorough and fair investigation was brought to the courts,” McConnell said, adding one of his considerations was the “seriousness” of what had happened.

“Tragically, three lives were lost and others seriously injured, and I found this met the criteria of a criminal offense to be imposed in this case.”

Police have provided no further details about the collision, citing an ongoing investigation and saying the evidence is now in court.

The crash happened at 9.30pm on the Saturday of the Victoria Day long weekend.

Tragic end to ‘great day’

McConnell thanked local Bobs Lake residents who assisted both after the collision and with the police investigation, before offering his own condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

“We hope that today’s announcement will bring some measure of resolution,” he said.

Kaila Bearman, 21, Juliette Côté, 22, and Riley Orr, 23, were pronounced dead at the scene. Five other people aged 21 to 44 were hospitalized, including one whose injuries required airlift.

Orr’s obituary described him as a good friend to many, with a “big, good heart” and the ability to light up a room with his smile.

Bearman’s smile was also described as a bright spot in the lives of her loved ones.

“We will not allow the darkness to overpower the light, joy, determination and passion of this beautiful young lady,” her obituary read.

In an interview with CBC, Côté’s family described her as a “force” who was as strong-willed as she was genuinely loving.

“You’re just completely devastated,” her mother, Alison Côté, explained in May. “You have the feeling that a piece of you is gone. Actually, from now on we are going to start our lives again.”

The Côtés said their daughter enjoyed a long weekend at a friend’s family cottage on Bobs Lake. That morning, Côté told her parents in text messages that the group was boating around the lake, playing games and listening to music.

“It is a comfort to us to know that she had a great day on her last day,” Alison Côté said at the time.

Hope for healing

A small crowd of Bobs Lake residents, along with friends and family members of some of those killed in the collision, attended the police announcement Wednesday.

“It made us and all our friends angry,” said Bob Leonard, whose family has had a lake house since 1968. “It just didn’t have to happen.”

Leonard said he wonders whether the accident and criminal charges could lead to a speed limit on the lake, or at least remind boaters to slow down.

Regardless of what happens on the water, he said he hopes the victims’ families will get “justice” in court.

“There’s never closure with something like this, but maybe it will help with the healing a little bit,” Leonard said.

Splinter appeared briefly in court in Kingston on Wednesday morning and will appear again on Friday.