The Ottawa man who had been charged with a serious traffic collision that sent five cyclists to hospital early Sunday morning is being held in custody while police continue their investigation.
Sommit Luangpakham, 45, appeared briefly in court today faced with five counts of failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm. Ottawa police, who have been receiving numerous tips from the public, say more charges are pending as they investigate the collision. Mr. Luangpakham, the court heard, does not have a criminal record.
Police reported Sunday that a man turned himself in a few hours after the incident, and officers seized a van at his residence.
The cyclists, a group of close friends who biked together every Sunday, were at the beginning of a roughly 150-kilometre ride when the collision occurred. All five were thrown off the bikes and knocked unconscious at the scene. Parademics arrived within five minutes in an air ambulance helicopter and ground unit. The group was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
By Monday afternoon, all the victims of the accident remained in hosptial; one cyclist remained in critical condition, three were listed in serious condition and one was stable.
Later in the evening, Brian Dodds, collision investigator with the Ottawa police, said there has been no change in their conditions.
Erin Anderssen