Bail Hearing For Matthew Splinter, Charged In Bobs Lake Boating Fatality That Killed 3, Set For November 14

Jeff Green | Nov 06, 2024

Matthew Splinter is being held in custody at this time, after being charged last week in connection with his role in a boat crash on May 18, in a channel next to Buck Bay on Bobs Lake. The crash left three dead and 5 in hospital.

Splinter was driving a speed boat that collided with what OPP officials called a “fishing type boat” at a press briefing last Wednesday (October 30) at the headquarters of the Frontenac OPP detachment, in Hartington.

Sergeant Marty McConnel of the detachment, announced that Splinter had been arrested a day earlier, and is facing 12 charges in total: “three counts of “Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance Causing Death”, three counts of “Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance Causing Bodily Harm”, three counts of “Impaired Operation Causing Death”, and three counts of “Impaired Operation Causing Bodily Harm”.

The collision on May 18 resulted in the deaths of three adults in their early 20s, - Riley Orr, 23, Kaila Bearman, 21, and Julliette Côtė, 22.

The three were struck by a speed boat with the words “Y Wouldn’t Ya” painted on its side, driven by Splinter, who owns property on the lake.

There have been persistent media inquiries to the OPP over the summer, asking if charges will be laid in the matter, and if so, when it will happen.

Sgt. McConnel acknowledged that members of the victims’ family, and the community as a whole have been waiting for this day for what may have seemed like a long time.

“And I completely sympathise with the families on that. But then again, to conduct a thorough investigation, when it is very complex, does require an amount of time to ensure that we have gone through all the necessary steps to provide a fulsome, fair, thorough case that is now brought before the courts,” he said.

The investigation included the OPP Marine Unit, a reconstructionist team, technical investigators, as well as officers who interviewed dozens of witnesses, including many who ran to the scene after the crash to help out and try to bring victims to safety.

“It was important that we looked at all details of the investigation,” he said.

McConnel also said that he “wanted to take the opportunity to thank all the people of the Bobs Lake area. Many local residents and cottagers ran to assist the victims after the collision and offered support afterwards. I also want to thank those that came forward to share information and assist investigators.”

He added that the charges that have been laid are the appropriate charges in this case, and the decision around what the specific charges were was done “in consultation with our crown attorney”.

Matthew Splinter appeared before a judge in a Kingston bail court by video link, shortly after the media briefing on October 30. His lawyer, Jordan Tekenos-Levy, asked for a continuance of two weeks in order to prepare for a full day bail hearing, and that was granted by the judge. The bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 14.