“Warranted Driver in Fatal Accident Had Prior Incident Ignored”

The man who is accused of causing the death of a six-year-old child due to impaired driving in St. John’s last month was reportedly in another accident two days prior, as per information obtained by CBC News. However, the police officers present at the scene did not check his details, which would have revealed that the 32-year-old, Tyler Day, had an outstanding arrest warrant. Day was driving a company truck when he collided with another vehicle at the junction of Stamp’s Lane and Terra Nova Road on July 21. Despite significant damage to the other vehicle, there were no severe injuries reported. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) did not conduct a check on Day at the time as the incident was deemed “non-criminal,” according to a statement from RNC Constable Stephanie Myers. Two days later, the police discovered the warrant when Day allegedly struck Zafeer Munir, the six-year-old, at the intersection of Thorburn Road and Larkhall Street. Day fled the scene but was pursued and apprehended by a witness on Cumberland Crescent. Initially charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, the charges were elevated to include impaired driving causing death after the child passed away. Day also faces charges of dangerous driving causing death, criminal negligence causing death, and leaving the accident scene causing death. Former police officer Michael Arntfield stated that Day would likely have still been released before the fatal incident on July 23, even if the warrant had been acted upon earlier. Arntfield expressed surprise that the police did not check Day’s information at the first scene, emphasizing the importance of running checks for officer safety and service delivery. Day, who is currently in custody, is scheduled for a court appearance on September 8 for a status update, with plans to seek bail.