The Superintendent of the Kamloops RCMP says the investigation into a crash last November that killed three Nigerian students at Thompson Rivers University was a complex one.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Superintendent Syd Lecky says while he was hoping charges could have been laid sooner, it was important to get things right.
“We are living under the pressure of the Jordan Decision meaning that you want to make sure you have all your ducks lined up in a row and everything ready to go before the charges are laid because it does set the clock ticking in terms of how long you have before you can get some of these cases before the courts,” he said.
Reid McKnight is facing three counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of failing to stop at the scene of a fatal accident, the charges were laid last Friday.
Daniel Okocha, 22, Feyisola Adebowale, 27, and Oluwatosin Adeojo, 30, were killed – Okocha and Adebowale were killed at the scene while Adeojo died nine days later in hospital. A 24-year-old man who was also in the car suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Lecky says he understands how much of an impact this case has had on the Kamloops community.
“We need to focus on that and be there to support the community especially the Nigerian community who really were impacted. The community as a whole has been there to support,” he added. “We had a lot of witnesses that came forward and I think it was certainly top notch work that has been done on this investigation.”
Lecky also mentioned that he has a close relationship with the Nigerian student community in Kamloops as a student used to live at his house. He also noted that he previously met one of the victims in the crash.
“You know, this is something that I realize is important to them and really, I haven’t been able to say anything as to what is going on so I’m glad they can now see that there is an outcome and an end in sight,” Lecky said, noting the RCMP remains in contact with the families of the victims as the case makes its way through the courts.
“I think we’ve got a really solid case, and I’m looking forward to getting some resolution to this.”
McKnight meanwhile was released on bail last Saturday after an appearance before a justice of the peace, and he is set to make his first court appearance on Oct. 22.
In addition to charges related to the collision, he is also facing two unrelated firearms allegations dating to the day after the crash after police searched his home – careless use of a firearm and improper storage of a firearm.
