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
Helicopter carrying Iran's president found by rescue teams: Iran official
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.