The individual accused of causing the death of a six-year-old child while driving under the influence in St. John’s last month had been engaged in a prior collision two days earlier, according to information obtained by CBC News. However, law enforcement officers present at the scene did not conduct a check on his details.
If they had done so, they would have discovered that Tyler Day, aged 32, was wanted for arrest. Day was operating a company vehicle when he crashed into another car at the junction of Stamp’s Lane and Terra Nova Road on July 21. While the other vehicle sustained significant damage, there were no severe injuries reported.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) explained that they did not run a check on Day as the incident was deemed “non-criminal.”
“Police actions are determined by the nature of the service call,” stated RNC Constable Stephanie Myers.
“In this particular instance, there was no pertinent information that necessitated officers to conduct criminal background checks; the non-criminal issue was addressed, and the case was closed.”
The authorities only became aware of the warrant two days later when Day allegedly struck Zafeer Munir, the six-year-old victim, at the intersection of Thorburn Road and Larkhall Street.
Following the incident, Day fled the scene but was pursued by a witness and subsequently apprehended on Cumberland Crescent. He was charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm. Unfortunately, the young boy later succumbed to his injuries, leading to the charges being upgraded to impaired driving causing death.
Day also faces charges of dangerous driving leading to death, criminal negligence causing death, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Former officer predicts Day would likely have been released
The initial arrest warrant for Day was issued in January 2025 for allegedly violating court order conditions in Corner Brook, where he was facing a charge related to fraud under $5,000.
Criminologist and ex-law enforcement officer Michael Arntfield mentioned that even if the RNC had acted on the warrant on July 21, Day would probably have still been released before the subsequent incident on July 23.
“We will never know for certain if the outcome could have been different if his details had been properly checked, and he was detained based on that warrant,” Arntfield commented. “He might have been released on bail that day or the next, and still on the road on the 23rd.”
Arntfield expressed surprise at the fact that the police did not check Day’s information during the first incident.
“I am quite astonished, not just from a service standpoint but also in terms of officer safety,” he remarked. “Every police encounter holds the potential for criminality. That’s just the nature of the job. What may begin as one thing could evolve into something else.”
During his lengthy policing career in London, Ontario, Arntfield mentioned that it was customary to verify individuals’ details through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) at the outset of each interaction.
“What if he was legally prohibited from driving due to a previous conviction for impaired driving? That’s an arrestable offense on the spot,” Arntfield highlighted. “The officer can only be aware of this and take action if they check the name.”
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