Victim remains in coma
WIKWEMIKONG—The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North East Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) Acting Detective Inspector Dave Robinson, have made an arrest in relation to the ongoing investigation of a serious motor vehicle collision that has left a young man in a coma.
As The Expositor reported last week, 31-year-old David Andrew Oshkabewisens (known to his friends as Andy) was hit by a truck on Sunday, November 2 at 2:40 am while walking on Wikwemikong Way on the Wikwemikong First Nation. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene, leaving Mr. Oshkabewisens on the side of the road with serious, life threatening injuries. He was transferred to the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current where he was airlifted Sunday morning to Sudbury where he remains in a coma, but in stable condition.
On Sunday, November 9, Wikwemikong Tribal Police and the OPP arrested and charged 48-year-old Noel Darin Peltier of Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation with attempted murder and failing to remain at the scene of a collision, contrary to the Criminal Code.
In last Monday’s press release regarding the incident, the police team were treating the investigating as a “serious motor vehicle collision.” The Expositor contacted Community Services Officer Constable Allan Boyd last Monday evening after learning from Mr. Oshkabewisens’ girlfriend, Bronte Peltier, that a witness had reported seeing a vehicle “speed up and hit him.”
“He was alone at the time, but apparently a kid saw the whole incident from his front porch on Wikwemikong Way. He (Andy) was crossing the road by Andy’s, going onto Sesame Street when a dark red Ford pick-up sped up and hit him,” said Ms. Bronte.
Constable Boyd said at the time he was unable to confirm that a witness had viewed the incident directly or that the vehicle had “sped up,” repeating that the incident was being treated as a “hit and run.”
When asked this week what had led to a change in the investigation and subsequent attempted murder charge, Constable Boyd explained, “As a result of the work of investigating detectives, charges were laid of attempted murder. Witnesses came forward and as a result there was evidence to support the charge.”
“The (OPP) Forensic Identification Unit has been on scene (in Wikwemikong) since the incident and has collected evidence that will be part of the case,” Constable Boyd responded to questions about evidence found on Mr. Peltier’s truck. “The investigation is still ongoing and police are continuing to seek the public’s assistance and asking anyone with information about this crime to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, Wikwemikong Tribal Police at 705-859-3141 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).”
As to Mr. Oshkabewisens’ condition, his brother Jason Oshkabewisens spoke with The Expositor Monday, reporting that his brother remains in a coma, with lacerations to his kidney and liver and brain injuries, but is stable.
“Andy is still in a coma, but in a stable condition,” said Jason Oshkabewisens on route to visit his brother in Sudbury along with their mother Jennifer. “We are hoping for a very positive turn in his condition.”
“My mom received word yesterday (from the OPP) that they had someone in custody and evidence he was responsible for hitting Andy,” continued Mr. Oshkabewisens. “My mom said it was a big weight taken off her shoulders that someone had been arrested. Now we can focus all our energy on Andy getting better.”
Mr. Oshkabewisens said that the fundraising efforts for his brother and the family have been going well with over $3,000 being made at the fundraising bingos last week.
“It’s moments like these I am so proud to be from Wikwemikong,” Mr. Oshkabewisens concluded. “We are so grateful for everyone’s support and well wishes. It has been very heartwarming. We also want to thank the investigating officers, the forensic unit and the many officers from Wikwemikong Tribal Police Services, United Chiefs and Council of Mnidoo Mnising and the Ontario Provincial Police for not giving up on the investigation.”
Donations to the Oshkabewisens family can be email transferred to joshua_oshkabewisens@hotmail.com or deposited in Jason Oshkabewisens’ BMO account, 3363-631. There will also be donation collection boxes at Karen’s (Coffeemat) and Andy’s.
Noel Darin Peltier was to have appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on November 10.
