Charges laid in fatal west-end collision
Two youths have been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal collision on Bayridge Drive near Henderson Place neighbourhood which occured in the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.
Our initial coverage of this incident can be found here.
As a result of a detailed investigation, including the use of forensic identification and collision reconstruction officers, it was determined the two vehicles involved were travelling southbound at high speeds on Bayridge Drive when they both lost control and left the roadway between Acadia Drive and Roosevelt Drive, according to a report from Kingston Police, dated Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.
Of the nine occupants in the two vehicles, all under the age of 18, four were seriously hurt and 16-year-old Scott Legg was killed. Police say some of the passengers were not wearing their seatbelts during the collision and, as a result, these individuals received more serious injuries.
On November 11 and 12 the two young drivers, both 17 years of age, attended Kingston Police headquarters where they were arrested, charged and later released with a first appearance court date, according to the report.
They both face criminal offences of:
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death
- Criminal negligence causing death
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm – 4 counts
- Criminal negligence causing bodily harm – 4 counts
According to Sgt Steve Koopman, Kingston Police do not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor in this incident.
While charges have been laid, the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dan Silver at 613-549-4660 ext. 6243 or via email at [email protected].
“Kingston Police take road safety seriously and have been working with our local Road Safety Advisory Group to ensure we meet the goals of our “Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.” These preventable and traumatic motor vehicle collisions affect so many families, friends and members in our community and are happening far too often,” states CORE Unit Staff Sergeant Jody Armstrong, whose role encompasses the Traffic Safety Unit. “We are committed to traffic safety by way of enforcement and ongoing education in various forms.”
“We are actively looking at means to enhance our commitment in this respect by engaging our community partners and educating our young drivers on the dangers of taking driving privileges for granted,” Armstrong continues. “This can include furthering existing initiatives such as the P.A.R.T.Y. program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) through our School Resource Officers, where we can directly reach out and educate our young drivers, with the goal being to reduce death and injury in alcohol, drug and risk-related crashes and incidents.”
Further details, including bereavement resources for students and the community, can be found in our previous coverage.