A seven-year-old girl has died, two other children were rushed to hospital and impaired driving charges have been laid after a crash on Monday night, July 27, 2020.
Chatham-Kent Police Service officials allege shortly after 9 p.m. last night, emergency crews responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Jacob Road near Given Line.
“Through investigation, police learned that a man was driving with his girlfriend’s three children when he lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway and came to rest upside down in a water filled ditch,” police officials allege.
“The man was able to save two of the three children. Volunteer fire fighters entered the water to remove the third child. All three children were transported to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for medical attention. The four-year-old girl was air-lifted via Ornge to a hospital in London. The 11-year-old boy was transported via ground ambulance to a London hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, the seven-year-old girl was pronounced deceased in Chatham.”
Police officials allege while on scene, officers believed the man was driving while under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested.
“The man was transported to police headquarters for breath tests,” police officials allege.
The 34-year-old Chatham man has been charged with impaired driving causing death, criminal negligence causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and two counts of driving while under suspension.
He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
“We will not be releasing the name of the accused to protect the identity of the children,” police officials said in a media release.
“Members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service offers their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased little girl.”
The Traffic Unit has taken over the investigation, police officials say.
Anyone with information, is asked to contact Constable Dan Carroll at dancar@chatham-kent.ca or 519-355-1092.
