Driver in fatal Hwy. 11 crash wanted on Canada-wide warrant
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in northern Ontario are looking for 69-year-old Richard Ouellette of Dorval, Que., who is wanted for dangerous operation causing death, dangerous operation causing bodily harm – and now for failing to attend court.
Ontario Provincial Police are looking for 69-year-old Richard Ouellette wanted in connect with a fatal crash on Highway 11 in April 2022. (Supplied/OPP)Ouellette missed a scheduled court appearance in August 2022 and members of the Temiskaming OPP detachment have been unable to locate him.
Ouellette is facing charges after the commercial vehicle he was driving crashed into a passenger vehicle on April 7, 2022.
“The collision happened in Temiskaming Shores shortly before 3:30 p.m. April 7, 2022 on Highway 11 at the Highway 65 intersection,” police said in a news release last year.
Two pregnant women were in the passenger vehicle. Christina "Chrissy" Osmond, 21, was killed along with her unborn child. Her friend Brooke, 22, who survived with critical injuries, also lost her baby.
FAMILIES OUTRAGED
Earlier this month, families of the victims spoke to CTV News about their frustration that police were not actively looking for him and were refusing to provide his mugshot.
At the time, OPP Acting Sgt. Rob Lewis told CTV News, "The OPP is unable to provide any photos of the accused – a photo of an accused will only be released when the public’s right to know clearly exceeds an individual right to privacy."
Brooke (left) and Christina (right) were both pregnant when they were hit by a commercial vehicle driven by 68-year-old Richard Ouellette of Dorval, Que. (Jessica Pare)
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED
Police said they are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Ouellette in a release Monday and have now released his mugshot.
Ontario Provincial Police are looking for 69-year-old Richard Ouellette wanted in connect with a fatal crash on Highway 11 in April 2022. (Supplied/OPP)Ouellette is described as a five-foot-nine-inch white male, 213 pounds with a heavy build, brown hair and eyes. He speaks with a French accent.
CANADA-WIDE WARRANT
Ouellette previously resided in Quebec.
Jessica Pare, Brooke’s mother, told CTV News that the family had hired a private investigator to locate the accused who tracked him to Manitoba but he has since fled.
"How are we supposed to live and move on while you run? What’s that doing for you? Aren’t you feeling guilty," Pare said in a social media post.
"You will be found Richard Oullette. You will be found and will be held accountable for your mistakes. Heaven knows we are thinking about the mistakes made that day … every day."
Under the warrant, any police agency across Canada can arrest Ouellette if located.
"If anyone has any information on the location of Richard Ouellette, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477," police said.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Roadside memorial for three killed in a crash with a tractor-trailer in Temiskaming Shores on April 7, 2022, Christine, Colton and Grace. (Jessica Pare)The families are also advocating that the province do something to improve road safety in the area.
"The government knew how bad that route is and still nothing has been done," said Osmond’s mother Caroline.
– With files from CTV News Northern Ontario digital content producer Chelsea Papineau
Ontario Provincial Police confirmed Nov. 14, 2023, Ouellette was found deceased in another province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
One dead, 26 wounded in overnight shooting in Ohio: reports
A shooting on a street in Akron, Ohio, killed one man and wounded 26 other people early Sunday morning, according to reports by local news outlets.
Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
South Korea vows 'unbearable' retaliation against North Korea over its launch of trash balloons
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.