Tyler Day, the individual accused of causing the death of a six-year-old boy in St. John’s due to impaired driving, was reportedly involved in a prior accident two days before the fatal incident. Despite having an outstanding warrant for his arrest, police officers did not run a check on his information during the initial crash.
The earlier collision occurred at the intersection of Stamp’s Lane and Terra Nova Road on July 21, involving Day driving a work truck that collided with another vehicle. Although the other vehicle sustained significant damage, there were no severe injuries reported. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) did not conduct a check on Day’s background as they classified the incident as “non-criminal.”
The warrant for Day’s arrest came to light two days later when he allegedly struck Zafeer Munir, the young victim, at the intersection of Thorburn Road and Larkhall Street. Day fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by an eyewitness and subsequently charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm. Tragically, the young boy later succumbed to his injuries, 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 pointed out that had the RNC acted on the warrant earlier, Day might have still been released before the fatal incident on July 23. Arntfield expressed surprise at the failure to check Day’s information during the initial crash, emphasizing the importance of running background checks in all police interactions for both service delivery and officer safety.
Day, currently in custody, is expected in court on September 8 for a status update. Despite working on a release plan and intending to seek bail, the series of events leading to the tragic outcome has left many questioning the handling of the situation by law enforcement.