RCMP have identified the wrong person responsible for a fatal collision in P.E.I.

A Prince Edward Island RCMP investigation has concluded that the man identified as responsible for a road accident that claimed the lives of four people last December in Marshfield was in fact the one of the passengers.

The results of the investigation were released on Friday. A 30-year-old man, who died from his injuries following the accident, is ultimately believed to be the driver of the truck responsible for the tragedy.

We executed several mandates [de perquisition] to find medical records and other information. […] It is also the testimonies of individuals that led us to this conclusion.

Constable at the RCMP, Gavin Moore explains that it took several months for the police to collect enough evidence.

We had very reliable witnesses, who gave us information, who were consistent with the medical records, so it really changed the direction of this investigation.he added.

The 20-year-old man wrongly identified as responsible is one of two people to survive the tragedy, involving six people in total. He was to be charged with impaired driving causing death.

The reputation

Gavin Moore stresses that police have taken precautions when communicating about the case to preserve the identities of those involved.

It’s still difficult to find a balance in this type of situation, because we must protect privacy, inform the public and avoid compromising investigations.he adds.

According to police, drunk driving is one of the causes of the accident.

Families torn apart

Two vehicles were involved in this accident on Route 2 on December 8, 2023.

Three people in a car died, all under the age of 20, and another survived. In another vehicle, a truck, there were two people. The driver responsible for the accident and his passenger who was wrongly accused were in a truck.

In a statement, the mother of this survivor recalled the harm that driving while drunk can cause and expressed her solidarity.

If, in fact [l’autre personne dans le camion] was not the driver that night, we are very relieved for him. We are aware of the terrible weight of guilt he should have carriedwe can read.

Our thoughts are always with all the families who lost one of their loved ones in this tragedyconcludes Constable Gavin Moore.