Chatham-Kent OPP (Photo by Matt Weverink)Chatham-Kent OPP (Photo by Matt Weverink)
Chatham

Chief Has 'Heavy Heart' As Moravian First Nation Community Tries To Heal

The Delaware Nation Council Chief says it's going to take her community a long time to heal after a fatal crash investigation resulted in no charges.

The November, 2016 crash at Moravian of the Thames First Nation killed 16-year-old Bailey Jacobs.

The investigation, which took ten months to complete, determined the unidentified 21-year-old Moraviantown man behind the wheel at the time of the crash was not at fault.

Denise Stonefish doesn't think the outcome is sitting very well with most of the community.

"To me there is no closure and there won't be closure for a long time. Especially when you're talking victims that have had their lives impacted significantly," says Stonefish.

Two other people were sent to the hospital.

The OPP isn't saying much, other than "offering their sincerest condolences to the community as it heals from this incident.”

Stonefish says this tragedy has caused her community to be divided and feels the healing process is going to take a long time.

"It's really caused a division in the community and it's understandable. I mean an accident like this, it's going to take the community a long time to heal over this one," the Chief says.

Stonefish says it's a tough time for her community right now and hopes there's no retaliation.

"My heart is heavy because this is a difficult time for all the families involved and my continued thoughts and prayers are with our families and our entire community," says Chief Stonefish.

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