A trial date has been set for a man from Ontario who is facing 12 charges related to a deadly boat crash that occurred during the May long weekend two years ago.
Riley Orr, Juliette Cote, and Kaila Bearman lost their lives on May 18, 2024, when a speedboat collided with a fishing boat on Bobs Lake, located just north of Kingston.
The accident happened shortly after 9:30 p. m. that evening. Orr, Cote, and Bearman were all aged between 21 and 23 and sadly died at the scene. Five other individuals, aged between 21 and 44, suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital.
Emergency dispatch recordings released online shortly after the incident showcased the frantic situation as paramedics, police officers, and firefighters hurried to respond.
“OPP and ambulance are reporting two boats have crashed. They can hear people screaming for help,” stated a dispatcher from South Frontenac Fire and Rescue around 9:45 p. m. on May 18.
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By approximately 10:10 p. m., first responders discovered most of the victims trapped together on the boats next to a concrete dock near several cottages.
Two individuals had no vital signs while another was reportedly in and out of consciousness, according to information relayed by a firefighter to dispatch.
![Click to play video: 'Deadly boat collision near Kingston, Ont., leaves 3 dead, 5 injured over long weekend']()
1:47 Deadly boat collision near Kingston, Ont., leaves 3 dead, 5 injured over long weekend
The crash took place in a narrow channel connecting Bobs Lake with Buck Bay. Local resident Tony Hammond told that he saw some young people enjoying music on their boat close to its dock when he noticed another boat coming toward them.
![Click to play video: '2nd man facing charges in deadly Ontario boat crash']()
0:39 2nd man facing charges in deadly Ontario boat crash
An additional man from South Frontenac Township has also been charged under the Canada Shipping Act for failing to show a stern light while underway on his power-driven vessel; failing to show sidelights while underway on his power-driven vessel; and operating a non-human-powered pleasure craft without personal flotation devices or life jackets suitable for each person aboard.
● ● ● ● “` ▸ **The OPP didn’t reveal his identity upon announcing these charges**. Det. Insp. Marty Mc Connell mentioned during an October 30th briefing in **2024** that cases like this can be quite complicated. “They require significant resources,” he stated solemnly. “Tragically three lives were lost that day along with serious injuries.” He added that he wanted thorough investigations conducted so everything could be fairly presented in court. Mc Connell expressed gratitude towards community members who acted swiftly during this crisis. “Many local residents came rushing forward following the collision offering assistance,” he noted. “I’m thankful for those who shared information helping our investigators.” Splinter’s trial is set to commence on April **5**, **2027**.© **2026** **, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.**
1:47 Deadly boat collision near Kingston, Ont., leaves 3 dead, 5 injured over long weekend
The crash took place in a narrow channel connecting Bobs Lake with Buck Bay. Local resident Tony Hammond told that he saw some young people enjoying music on their boat close to its dock when he noticed another boat coming toward them.
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Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. The whole thing happened so quickly that he said there wasn’t time for him to react. “I was just hoping not to hear the crunch, and then I heard the crunch,” he recalled. Story continues below “Before any of the actual first responders [arrived], everyone was doing what they could. There’s no way to describe it except that anyone who ever hears it knows that sound is go time.” Five months later after the crash occurred, Ontario Provincial Police arrested Matthew Splinter from South Frontenac Township. He faces three counts each of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death; dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm; impaired operation causing death; and impaired operation causing bodily harm. More on Canada More videos
0:39 2nd man facing charges in deadly Ontario boat crash
An additional man from South Frontenac Township has also been charged under the Canada Shipping Act for failing to show a stern light while underway on his power-driven vessel; failing to show sidelights while underway on his power-driven vessel; and operating a non-human-powered pleasure craft without personal flotation devices or life jackets suitable for each person aboard.
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