A man accused of causing the death of a six-year-old boy in St. John’s last month due to impaired driving had been in a separate crash two days prior, as per information obtained by CBC News. However, the police officers present at the scene did not conduct a check on his details, missing the fact that he had an outstanding arrest warrant.

The incident occurred when 32-year-old Tyler Day, driving a work truck, collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Stamp’s Lane and Terra Nova Road on July 21. The other vehicle sustained significant damage, but no serious injuries were reported. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) did not run a check on Day at the time, deeming the crash as “non-criminal.”

Police only became aware of the warrant two days later when Day allegedly struck Zafeer Munir, the six-year-old boy, at the intersection of Thorburn Road and Larkhall Street. Day fled the scene but was apprehended by a witness and subsequently charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm. Tragically, the boy passed away, leading to upgraded charges of impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, criminal negligence causing death, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing death.

Former police officer and criminologist Michael Arntfield mentioned that if the RNC had acted on the warrant earlier, Day might still have been released before the fatal incident. Arntfield expressed surprise that the police did not check Day’s information during the first crash, emphasizing the importance of verifying individuals’ details for officer safety and effective service delivery.

Day, currently in custody, is scheduled for a court appearance on September 8 for a status update. Despite ongoing proceedings, he aims to seek bail while working on a release plan.