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
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Custom baseball card released of Blue Jays fan struck in the face with foul ball
Liz McGuire, the Blue Jays fan who was struck in the face with a 110 m.p.h. foul ball last week, has been pictured on a custom baseball trading card applauding her fandom to the game.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Pro-Palestinian protesters expected to meet with U of T administration
Pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the University of Toronto campus are expected to meet with school officials today.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
Beer Store planning to 'thrive and adapt' as Ontario announces changes to alcohol sales starting this summer
The Beer Store says it is looking forward to the next stage in its “evolution” as the province rolls out an accelerated timeline for expanding retail alcohol sales in Ontario.