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Driver accused of impaired driving in fatal St. Thomas crash released from jail

St. Thomas, Ont., a city of less than 50,000, is mourning after a child was killed and a woman critically injured in a crash that also injured three other pedestrians Tuesday evening.

The Tuesday afternoon crash killed a child and injured a woman

Angela McInnes, Alessio Donnini · CBC News ·
This memorial of stuffed animals and flowers was placed at the intersection where the crash happened on Wednesday morning.
This memorial of stuffed animals and flowers was placed on the steps of the building where the truck that hit five pedestrians came to a stop. (Angela McInnes/CBC News)

A man charged with impaired driving causing death after a Tuesday crash in St. Thomas that killed a child, will be released from jail as the case winds its way through the justice system. 

Nicholas Lemke, 19, made a brief court appearance in St. Thomas on Wednesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after five pedestrians were struck at a downtown intersection in the small southwestern Ontario town. 

The reasons for Lemke's release and the terms of his release are covered by a publication ban. Keli Mersereau has been retained as Lemke's lawyer. 

Lemke has been charged with impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm. Lemke's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 8. 

St. Thomas police responded to the crash on Talbot Street just before 5 p.m., Tuesday. A red pickup truck was moving westbound on the street when it jumped the curb and struck the pedestrians while they were on the sidewalk, said police spokesperson Samantha Wakefield.

The remaining three pedestrians were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Wakefield added.

The intersection of Talbot Street and Caso Crossing in St. Thomas is closed after a red pickup truck seen in this photo struck five pedestrians, fatally injuring a child.
The intersection of Talbot Street and Caso Crossing in St. Thomas is closed after a red pickup truck struck five pedestrians, killing a child and seriously injuring a woman. (Isha Bhargava/CBC)

By Wednesday morning the roadblocks at the intersection where the fatal collision took place were gone, replaced with mementos and flowers laid down to commemorate and honour the victims.

"It's scary being right at the corner. People are rushing to make this light," said James McConnell, a man who came to the site with his three young sons to honour the spirit of the child who died.

The family, who are First Nations, put down tobacco and sage and smudged the site of the memorial. They laid down teddy bears and prayed as well.
A light pole with red paint transfer.
A light pole outside of the Brunswick Tavern in St. Thomas, Ont., where a red pickup truck crashed and five pedestrians were struck, killing a child. (Angela McInnes/CBC)

The stretch of Talbot Street near Caso Crossing sees its fair share of pedestrian traffic, according to locals. Close calls have happened in the past, McConnell said.

"My fiancée broke down (when she heard what happened) last night, crying and saying it could have been them," he said. "It's a tragic, tragic event. It wasn't something that [anybody] wants to see or hear. It was an eye opener."

Teddy bears and other toys outside of a building in a makeshift memorial.
A memorial for a child killed at a St. Thomas intersection is growing on Wednesday morning, a day after the crash that also hurt four other pedestrians. A man has been charged with impaired driving. (Angela McInnes/CBC)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela McInnes

Reporter

Angela McInnes is a radio and digital reporter for CBC London. You can reach her at [email protected].

    With files from Isha Bhargava

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