The individual accused of causing the death of a six-year-old child due to impaired driving in St. John’s last month had been in a prior crash two days earlier, as per information obtained by CBC News. However, law enforcement officers present at the scene did not run a check on his details, missing the fact that 32-year-old Tyler Day had an active warrant for his arrest.
Day was operating a company truck when he collided with another vehicle at the junction of Stamp’s Lane and Terra Nova Road on July 21. Although the other vehicle sustained significant damage, there were no severe injuries reported.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) explained that they did not check Day’s information following the crash because it was categorized as a “non-criminal” incident. According to RNC Constable Stephanie Myers, police responses are determined by the nature of the service call, and in this instance, there was no indication necessitating officers to conduct criminal record checks.
The warrant for Day’s arrest was only noticed two days later, following the tragic event where Day allegedly struck Zafeer Munir, the six-year-old victim, at the intersection of Thorburn Road and Larkhall Street. Day reportedly fled the scene but was apprehended by a witness and subsequently charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm. Tragically, the young 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 speculated that even if the warrant had been acted upon earlier, Day might have still been released before the fatal incident on July 23. Arntfield expressed surprise that officers did not verify Day’s information during the initial crash, highlighting the importance of checking individuals’ details through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) at the outset of interactions.
Day, who is currently in custody, is scheduled for a court appearance on September 8 for a status update. It has been mentioned in court that he is formulating a release plan and intends to apply for bail.
