Accused in fatal Bobs Lake collision to remain in custody at least two more weeks

Matthew Splinter, the man who stands accused in the Bobs Lake boating tragedy that killed three young adults and injured five others, made a brief appearance in court today.

Justice of the Peace Jack Chiang presided over bail court at the Kingston Ontario Court of Justice on Wellington Street in Kingston on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. The accused appeared by video from Central East Correctional Centre (CECC) in Lindsay, where he is being held pending a bail hearing. Today it was determined that it would be two more weeks until that hearing would occur.

Tall, with thinning salt-and-pepper hair, Splinter wore dark-framed glasses and the customary orange jumpsuit of the Ontario custodial system.

Jordan Tekenos-Levy, who represented Splinter, told Chiang that a special meeting had occurred between the Crown and the defence, potential sureties, and all relevant parties regarding bail. He relayed that the sides agreed to a one-day bail hearing in two weeks' time. The defence lawyer also indicated that the hearing is likely to be lengthy.

Typically, at this type of bail hearing, also known as a show cause hearing, the Crown reads out allegations and may call the lead investigator to testify.

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, as a result of a lengthy investigation, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged Splinter, age 44, of South Frontenac Township. At a press conference, the OPP announced the charges against him the following day:

• Three counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death
• Three counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm
• Three counts of impaired operation of a vehicle causing death
• Three counts of impaired operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm

The tragedy which rocked the small community around Bobs Lake took place over the Victoria Day Weekend. Two boats collided just before 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Three people were pronounced deceased at the scene: a 21-year-old female from South Frontenac Township, a 22-year-old female from Elginburg, and a 23-year-old male from South Frontenac. A total of five other people, aged 21 to 44, were reportedly taken to hospital with injuries of varying degrees of seriousness, police said the following day. 

Days later, the OPP confirmed with Kingstonist eyewitness reports of youths having been on one of the boats.

The OPP indicated on October 30, 2024, that speed and impairment were both factors that contributed to the crash.

A publication ban pursuant to Section 517 of the Criminal Code of Canada has been put in place in this case, as requested by the defence. This strictly limits the information disclosed in court that can be published at this time.

Kingstonist will continue to follow the case as it goes before the courts.