Ottawa man charged in collision that killed teen
A 37-year-old Ottawa man has been charged with second-degree murder after a teen was struck and killed by a vehicle in Bells Corners Wednesday night.
Nick Hickey, 17, died after he was struck while walking along Seyton Drive, near Moodie Drive and Robertson Road, shortly before 9 p.m.
Guillermo Escobedo-Hoyo appeared in court via video link Thursday afternoon.
He wore a grey hoodie with "Denver Broncos" across the front.
He stood silently for several minutes before speaking briefly in a thick Spanish accent to ask if he would be "retained in custody until tomorrow," and whether there was anything he could do to be able to sleep in his own bed tonight.
The justice of the peace replied that wouldn't be possible for a while.
Escobedo-Hoyo is set to appear in court again Friday morning. He does not have a prior criminal record.
Hickey was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.
Witness spotted naked man
Hickey was struck in front of Krystal Coulterman's home on Seyton Drive.
Speaking with CBC News, Coulterman said she was home Wednesday night when she heard a "massive commotion" outside, which she believes was the sound of a collision.
Coulterman said she looked out her window and saw a naked man running by.
"I wondered why somebody would be naked in this weather," she said. "He was clearly part of a crashed vehicle and didn't know what he was doing driving naked, either."
Coulterman said the naked man entered her neighbour's home then ran back out before emergency responders arrived a few minutes later.
Another witness said the Spanish-speaking man knocked on her door and tried to enter her home.
Neighbours described hearing a loud crash around 8:30 p.m., followed by a woman screaming for help on the sidewalk.
One neighbour described seeing a silver sedan that had crashed into a red Ford F150 pickup truck near the scene. A light standard down the street had also been struck and had fallen over.
Victim's classmates in mourning
Hickey was a Grade 12 student at Ottawa Technical Secondary School.
In a letter sent to the school community, an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board spokesperson said a team was available to help students and staff deal with the news.
"It is natural for us to feel confusing emotions as we struggle to make sense of this tragedy," Sharlene Hunter wrote. "This is a time for compassion and caring, and a time to appreciate each other."
Police had closed Seyton Drive to traffic between Westcliffe Road and Cymbeline Drive while officers investigated.
The road was reopened by 5:45 a.m. Thursday.
Anyone who saw what happened or who has any other information is asked to call the major crimes unit at 613-236-1222 extension 5493 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
