P.E.I. snowmobile fatal won't result in charges: RCMP
Car-snowmobile collisions are "very, very rare" say police
Police don't expect to lay any charges after a 14-year-old boy died in a snowmobile accident in West Prince mid-afternoon Sunday, calling it "an unfortunate event."
The teen was from the small rural community of Pleasant View and was not far from home on Route 14 near Thompson Road when his snowmobile crossed the road into the path of an oncoming car.
"The investigation so far has revealed that the snowmobile was coming up and crossing the road, failed to stop for the oncoming traffic, when the vehicle on the roadway struck the snowmobile," said Cpl. Scott Stevenson, RCMP spokesperson.
The Miminegash Fire Department, RCMP and Island EMS answered the 911 call.
The 14-year-old year old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Visibility was good and speed was not a factor in the accident, said Stevenson. Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected either.
The male driver and female passenger of the car were not injured.
'Unfortunate event'
"It just seems like the snowmobile thought it was able to cross safely — cross the road safely — and unfortunately it wasn't able to," said Stevenson.
The boy was a Grade 8 student at M.E. Callaghan Intermediate School, where the flag outside was at half-mast Monday to honour him. Stevenson said the death is a shock for the boy's family and the community.
"It's going to be taken very, very hard," said Stevenson. "It's impacting a lot of people locally, I'm sure."
Ongoing investigation
P.E.I.'s English Language School Board sent in additional counsellors to offer support to students and staff.
Collision analysts were still reviewing the scene on Monday, taking measurements and photos. Mechanical checks will also be done on the snowmobile and the car involved.
Car-snowmobile collisions are "very, very rare," according to Stevenson.