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The Telegram (St.
John's) Crime
by Terry Roberts |
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Police expect to lay charges today or Saturday against the man believed to be the driver of the car that struck and killed 15-year-old Matthew Rodney Churchill of Portugal Cove Monday evening.
After 2 1/2 days of trying to identify the driver involved in the hit-and-run, a suspect finally came forward Thursday afternoon, said Staff Sgt. June Layden, spokeswoman for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
"We have been contacted by a city lawyer that he has a client interested in speaking with us as being responsible for this incident," Layden said.
She said investigators were preparing to talk with the suspect Thursday evening. "We do anticipate an arrest before the end of the week."
Matthew and a 14-year-old friend from St. John's were walking along the Bauline Line in Portugal Cove about 7:30 p.m. Monday when Matthew was struck from behind.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene without stopping.
Both boys were taken to hospital, but Matthew later died of his injuries. The younger teen was treated for minor injuries and shock and was released.
Police discovered what they believe was the vehicle involved - a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire - Tuesday morning in a private driveway on Bauline Line, not far from the scene of the incident.
Layden has said it had sustained damage "consistent with a collision of this nature," and that whoever was driving must have known the vehicle had collided with something.
Investigators have spoken with the female owner of the car, but it now seems unlikely she was driving that night.
Layden wouldn't say whether the suspect is a resident of the Bauline Line.
She also wouldn't disclose the relationship between the suspect and the registered owner of the car, but she said it doesn't appear the car was stolen.
Layden indicated the vehicle owner was less than co-operative.
"That individual has failed to identify the operator of the vehicle at the time of the collision," she said.
Funeral services will take place today for Matthew, who was just minutes from his home when the incident occurred.
Matthew was a student at Leary's Brook junior high in St. John's, a grades 7-9 school with roughly 475 pupils.
The school was closed
this week for the Easter break, but dozens of students gathered
there Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening to lend their support
to one another and share their grief. Counsellors were also at the
school. Principal Byron Head said counsellors will also be at the school Monday when regular classes resume.
He said each class will be visited by a counsellor, and those who wish to speak individually or in small groups will also be accommodated.
"We'll continue that as long as it's needed at the school. But it's always a delicate balancing act to try and maintain some normal functioning at an institution like this while at the same time trying to address this very special circumstance," he said.
When the time is right, he added, the school will announce a memorial to Matthew, one that celebrates his life and serves as a way for his peers to come to terms with the tragedy.
"We'll only do this in full consultation with the family," he said.
Head expects an overwhelming outpouring of sympathy and support for Matthew's family during today's funeral services.
"Given what was at the funeral home, and given the kind of person Matthew was, I anticipate a significant number of our students to attend," he said.
troberts@thetelegram.com |
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