Toll from Marshfield crash rises to 4 as RCMP continue to gather evidence
Stephen Brun | CBC News | Posted: December 11, 2023 3:32 PM | Last Updated: December 11
'Our hearts go out to the families severely affected by this,' says RCMP spokesperson
A deadly crash in Marshfield, P.E.I., has now claimed the lives of four people.
The RCMP confirmed Monday that a 30-year-old man from Queens County died of injuries he sustained in the collision, which occurred just after 6 p.m. Friday on St. Peters Road.
The man was a passenger in a pickup truck that crossed the centre line and collided head-on with another vehicle.
Three people in that vehicle — a 12-year-old male, a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old female — died at the scene. All are from the Kings County area.
A 15-year-old male who was in the same vehicle remains in hospital in Halifax with serious injuries.
According to details posted in online fundraisers, the three males were brothers, and they were on their way to a youth group with a close friend at the time of the crash.
"With all those lives that are lost, there are so many friends and family and connections that are touched by this. It has a deep and profound effect," RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore said Monday.
The driver of the pickup, a 20-year-old man from York, was released from hospital after being treated for his injuries.
He was arrested after the accident for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and impaired driving causing death, but is not in custody.
Moore explained that several factors are considered when deciding whether to detain someone until evidence has been collected and charges are laid. Those might include a past criminal history, for example.
In this case, he said, the driver did not meet those criteria.
"In a file that has complex parts to it such as this one, there are elements that we need to have in hand before we lay charges," Moore said. "We don't want to start a court process and not have all reports available to the court."
This does have a tremendous affect on all Islanders. — RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore
The RCMP is liaising with the families of the victims, as well as expressing support to first responders who attended the scene.
"Certainly this is a tragedy of proportions that are not seen here on the Island very often, and especially at this time of year, it makes it even more difficult," said Moore.
"Our hearts go out to the families severely affected by this, and certainly anybody in the community with connections here. This does have a tremendous affect on all Islanders."