Edmonton police have charged a 62-year-old man after a toddler died in a collision on a restaurant patio Sunday evening.
Richard Suter will be facing numerous charges including impaired operation causing death and two counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm.
The 2-year-old boy died after being pinned to a wall by a car at the Ric’s Grill patio on 142 Street and 23 Avenue Sunday evening.
Insp. Brian Nowlan said the vehicle had been parked right 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,” he explained.
Investigators said they believe Suter meant to put the car in reverse but shifted it to drive by mistake.
The manager of the Ric’s Grill, Shaun Zarney, said he was at the restaurant when it happened and described a fast-moving, chaotic scene.
“Doctors from inside the restaurant who were dining were outside performing CPR. I had customers inside who moved the van off the child and back into the parking lot.
“Everybody worked together the staff, the customers, to try and handle the situation the best they could.”
All four family members were taken to hospital including a 1-year-old child. Police said on Monday that they were all physically okay.
“The father had back and rib injuries and the 1-year- old sibling of the deceased boy had minor scratches. I understand the mother had some glass embedded in her legs as well,” Scott Pattison from the Edmonton Police Service said.
Officials have also charged Suter with failure to provide a breath sample, however, they confirm he provide one sample but refused a second request.
Suter remains in police custody and has been scheduled to be in court Tuesday at 9 a.m.
With files from Amanda Anderson
