Deadly Ontario boat crash: Man faces multiple charges after 3 killed in collision on Bobs Lake

An Ontario man is facing dangerous operation and impaired charges in connection to a fatal May long weekend boat crash that left three people dead, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said on Wednesday. The update comes five months after the May 18 crash took the lives of Riley Orr, Juliette Cote and Kaila Bearman.
In the fatal crash, a speedboat ended up on top of a fishing boat on Bobs Lake, which is just north of Kingston, Ont. Orr, Cote and Bearman, who were all between the ages of 21 and 23, died at the scene. Five other people, ranging in age from 21 to 44, were injured and taken to hospital.
On Wednesday, the OPP said 44-year-old Matthew Splinter of South Frontenac Township was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including three counts of impaired operation causing death.
Global’s Sean O’Shea has more.
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[@bridgethamilton6057]

OMG 3 killed and he's not charged like a drunk driver of a car? Vehicle homicide?

[@TyrannosaurusThunder]

CANADA.....justice system loves criminals and wants to keep giving them 1700 chances because they are people too, evil or not...

[@rickvervoort9536]

Are you serious? We all know it was the "assault style" boats fault, which by the way was more than likely out on bail and known to police.

[@TwitchenClips]

sad story.

[@hazwiz7004]

In Ontario and Canada, there is no homicide charges for DUI.

[@markminer7390]

Why did it take 5 months??? Three people died! Speed on a small lake is so negligent.

[@HondoTrailside]

I got a 500 dollar ticket (90% reduced at court), for not having a baler on my canoe. I had to get a license to push my 24 foot sailboat around from the dock. Meanwhile these morons are ripping around without any speed limits, and killing people. Let's see if as a result I have to have a helmet when moving my sailboat at 1 knot.

[@tactical_pat6449]

As dumb as gun laws.

[@FREEDOM-bk4rv]

Our justice system is corrupt and totally broken.

[@gregorystiller975]

Negligence, alcohol and speed in a narrow channel. What could go wrong? I hope this fool is sentenced to life in prison. Completely avoidable circumstances, too many selfish bullies.

[@GreatOvation]

If we had a good Justice system that guy would get 3 life consecutive sentences.😮

[@jamesthebond4904]

Canada is a total joke. Five months to figure out this was a criminal offence? No wonder crime is out of control here with violent criminals given bail and early parole. A drunk guy driving a boat? Will probably get three months in jail and be forced to take a boating course.

[@joelfresque6335]

Hilarious bud. Go live in the USA

[@juliogonzo2718]

​@@jamesthebond4904the maximum sentence for dangerous operation causing death is a life sentence. Causing injury is maximum 14 years. Impaired causing death is also possibly life sentence. Who knows what he will get if convicted, but three life sentences is actually possible.

[@bluesbrother2383]

Kevin oleary killed 3 people on a boat, fled the scene and blamed it on his wife, not even a whiff of criminal charges

[@jamesthebond4904]

@@juliogonzo2718 In Canada that maximum is highly unlikely. Probably a first offence, so even lighter. My guess is less than five years jail and out on parole in 2 years.

[@pitbull2743]

It took the police that long to figure out who should be charged??

[@joeyahoo3902]

Investigations can be done quick or done right.

[@TyrannosaurusThunder]

They have to arrest the people misusing words and terms on X, formerly known as Twitter, because in Canada you apparently can get life in prison for using hurtful words, but not murder.....

[@joeyahoo3902]

@@TyrannosaurusThunder um...no...absolutely wrong about everything. absolutely wrong! sheesh.

[@stephens1726]

It’s called “building a case” there sparky.

[@machinesnmetal]

If they process quickly they don't get paid as much. So they need to drag it out.

[@ricladouceur6202]

Wow criminal charges! Why weren't criminal charges filed in the Kevin O'Leary incident!

[@Dot-he2ke]

Money...

[@paulscott6605]

Because the morons in the other boat were sitting in the middle of the lake stargazing with no lights on.Can't fix stupid!

[@FlowKio]

@@paulscott6605most experienced boater wouldn’t be speeding drunk in the dark 😂

[@bobwoods1302]

No fan of O'Leary but apparently the other boat didn't have it's lights on. Turning off the lights and stargazing is awesome but when you hear another boat you need to put the lights on.

[@Clamps-nn2pz]

I gather you dont like him but that had very different circumstances and is not comparable to this incident.

[@janismcintyre300]

This is why I gave my $20 to MADD, if I had more it would have been given. The drunk driver gets bail, the families get buried - where is the angel, "Justice"? just saying...Miigwech

[@notsunnydaysahead]

Having lost a brother to a drunk driver: There is no justice. Only a forever sadness and a feeling that life is cheap.Thank you for your donation it is not small. It shows your support and your love to a whole lot of us.

[@deborahcabot3100]

Dah, no kidding criminal charges should have been laid.

[@leonardmacaulay9833]

Din’t know anyone involved huh?

[@bob-p7x6j]

@@leonardmacaulay9833 ?

[@cindycreateforlife]

Speeding, careless driving and impairment led to three innocent young lives ending, if there is any justice, he will spend a long time in prison! He is one of those people who think that living fast and loose is their business, it is if you don’t endanger others or kill them because you’re having fun!

[@sedatedturtle]

Who's got the videos? Clearly this guys a menace on the water!!

[@Adamwest3000-c5l]

How is this not 1st or at least 2nd degree murder in this day and age. He chose to get drunk, and then he chose to drive a boat, and then he killed three innocent people based off his chosen actions. Drunk drivers are some of the most dangerous criminals possible and truly make our streets a more dangerous place to be. Poor families, at least they have some closure. Hope he will be released on bail and not back on the streets anytime soon.

[@lorigrant-wt7kw]

All those injured or killed were in their twenties, all close friends from a small community and the man who was charged comes from money so many people were worried that he would get off Glad to see charges although too many lives were affected by his arrogance

[@Ynalaw]

Are you suggesting Matty "Marty" Splinter was a fully grown, rich-kid man-baby?

[@august-first-2025]

Wide open water and he hits a boat sitting in the middle of the lake. Looks like murder.

[@The66Leadfoot]

It happened in a canal (shown at 0:26) where the speed limit is reduced. The kids' boat had already went around the bend when the speeder crashed into them from behind.

[@virtualcurbappeal8637]

You may want to read the facts before commenting.

[@McNighthawk750]

I see plenty of reckless drivers on sea doos/ jet skis too. It's a matter of time before people/ swimmers/ regular boaters get hurt. Be responsible if you drive these water rockets !!

[@virtualcurbappeal8637]

Agree -- they are more of a threat than boaters on our lake. At least you need a license to drive a boat. Theoretically you also need one to drive a jet ski, but somehow the rental places get around this. On weekends in the summer it's like the wild west in front of our place on Lake Simcoe with packs of yahoos on jet skis.

[@Doob-s6h]

we need harder laws to stop this behavior on the water and the roads. yup 3 life sentences for sure.

[@rickcee9316]

How has this taken so long?? Those poor families

[@brustar5152]

Typical OPP response; wait until community people get really pizzed off and start demnding action before they lay any charges and insist it took that long to investigate the crash. Riiiigggghhht! Guy was drunk, speeding recklessly and killed three people - why three months to "investigate"?

[@delmas3984]

What took so long..ridiculous

[@leeneia]

Just looking at the speedboat makes you think it was designed for causing trouble.

[@ShannonJanzen]

Nothing we happen. It’s Canada. Sad

[@jeffspicolli593]

So many making this about speed when it's about being impaired.

[@virtualcurbappeal8637]

It's both. The guy was known to be a menace on the lake, according to neighbors quoted at the time of the accident. Long before anyone knew there was alcohol involved. He was speeding in a 10 kph no wake zone, or in his words, puttin the hammer down.

[@IKhanNot]

Why did it take so long? Probably a friend with a higher up so they tried covering it up. 3 people are dead for heaven's sake.

[@mikab.4041]

Sad this happened. Boating safety and Law's for operating purposes should be perhaps Licensed if they currently are not.

[@joyzenger6016]

Wasn’t a safety issue.. was a drunk issue

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

They are your driver's license is also suspended if you drink and boat

[@shari9721]

@@joyzenger6016 driving a boat at high speed in the dark is not safe .

[@PEACE-xq8bf]

Not Kevin O’Leary again, blaming it on his wife to save his career? 😂

[@Subie-Driver]

He bought his way out of that one.

[@kowalski5599]

Never heard much about that after the fact. Interesting.

[@Jigger2361]

ouch

[@syntaxer1984]

This incident is just screaming justice over at Kevin O'Leary

[@petroanhel125]

And what was the sentence?! Any idea?! Because I am thinking why even bother to say anything about it because the killer took 3 lives and what he will be out of the jail in 10 months probably. To continue his race for more fun

[@DanielSon69]

Huh? Sentencing comes after a finding of guilt after either a guilty plea or after trial. How do people not understand basic legal principles?

[@scottm9010]

It’s getting more and more dangerous on the lakes. A lot of boaters don’t have the sense and courtesy they used to.

[@alanpower2857]

That's why I go kayaking at 7:00am on a Wednesday...And also ride my motorcycle mornings only.

[@christinerobertson8538]

That’s that’s that’s definitely free. Lives have been lost “10. It’s my best friend.😢

[@BD_Gainz]

Matty go figure. Grow up.

[@wallacegrommet3479]

5 months, pathetic

[@user-gm2ih8ro8e]

What about charging mr. Wonderful's wife she killed 2 people and got away with literal murder obviously she was drunk. Just because they are rich.

[@allanharris4281]

That seemed like a long time running. I got chastised elsewhere back when I suggested it was clear that the guy had murdered and maimed innocent people

[@TyrannosaurusThunder]

Over / Under : 5 months in a Canadian prison.

[@04tsxpower]

You felt? Anyone can see that dude

[@sfb1219]

Kevin at it again !!!

[@syntaxer1984]

Break out the cheque book, honey...

[@DB-gr7ch]

Mrs. O'Leary knows a guy.....

[@randylahey7343]

They’ll be fine if they have as much money as “Mr Wonderful “

[@8surroundsme-rf6zz]

Just get Kevin O’Leary lawyer

[@Loyster14]

Took 3 lives for action to be taken. He was well known on the lake .

[@robertcowie8230]

He will just hire Kevin Olearys lawyer … no problem will walk free

[@virtualcurbappeal8637]

He certainly ws quick to hire a good lawyer to scrub any iota of info about him on social media - other than that last unfortunate FB post that everyone has seen.

[@wyleecoyotee4252]

Was it Kevin O'Leary?

[@Carlg26]

First my condolences for all family and friends ... however its interesting sounds fa-miler ,,, was there a rich guy that blames his wife for driving the boat?

[@marctrottier8232]

kevin o'leary is just as bad ! but o'leary got saved !

[@bluesbrother2383]

Kevin oleary strikes again

[@icutoffmyleftwing7190]

Stupid speed boaters, real men fish. You killed real ones. Youre free to speed boat or whatever, but youre still a loser whether you like it or not.

[@Cryharder-r1e]

You probably work in an office with the other women......

[@Subie-Driver]

Hmmm…if he is rich like like Kevin O’Leary and his wife…he can buy his way out of it like they did.

[@banalpedant41]

If we could only get Kevin O’Leary in the drivers seat all would be forgiven.

[@MeSkeefer]

Them the "fringe", aka We Todds! Pierre voters.

[@Cryharder-r1e]

The rcmp need to be disbanded.....

[@jeffs1884]

The RCMP ????

[@DanielSon69]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MrKenng123]

Trump 2024 for 110% sure 😅

[@mediajunkie515_3]

Were Kevin O'Leary and his wife out boating again?

[@ChristophWhite]

PROBATION

[@lenvillemaire4751]

What took so long?