A man in his 60s who is facing multiple impaired driving charges, after a vehicle crashed into a restaurant patio Sunday evening, killing a toddler, will appear in court later in the week.
Richard Suter, 62, was to have his first court appearance Tuesday morning, but proceedings were delayed, before the case was put over to Thursday.
Suter is facing a total of four counts of impaired driving-related charges, after his car plowed into the patio of a restaurant located at 142 Street and 23 Avenue Sunday evening.
Police said Monday the vehicle involved had been parked in front of the patio.
“For reasons at this time yet to be determined, that vehicle quickly accelerated through the glass barrier, struck the table and literally ran over the family of four,” Insp. Brian Nowlan explained Monday.
The entire family of four had to be sent to hospital after the crash – three of them survived with minor injuries, but a 2-year-old boy – who the family said is named ‘Geo’- died as a result of the crash.
The boy was pinned under the vehicle after it crashed through the barrier.
A memorial on the patio where the collision took place has grown since the weekend collision.
“You can only imagine if you’re a parent, and how the parents are feeling,” Geo’s aunt, Ramona Cardinal said. “A child shouldn’t have to go through this.”
On a memorial Facebook page for the little boy, his mother said the dinner the family was having was to celebrate Geo learning to use the potty.
In the posting, the mother said the possibilities of what her son could have been were literally endless and sky-high.
Investigators said they believe Suter had meant to put the car in reverse, but shifted it into drive – they said Suter may have been arguing with his wife before the incident.
One of the charges Suter is facing is failure to provide a breath sample, however, officials said Suter provided one sample, but refused to do it a second time.
Suter appeared in court briefly Tuesday via closed-circuit television; he will remain in custody until his court appearance Thursday.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith