Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox says she is deeply frustrated following news that James Hilton, accused in the January crash that killed Portage resident Kellie Verwey, breached his release conditions this past Saturday after being sent to an unsupervised treatment facility. RCMP issued a warrant for his arrest and then located the accused late Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m incredibly frustrated with this situation and hearing this news in the last few days. My heart just goes out to the family who I feel just continues to be victimized in this situation,” says Knox.
Hilton faces charges, including dangerous driving causing death, after a three-vehicle collision on January 15. He had previously breached bail conditions at that time, and police say he was last seen in Winnipeg’s St. Norbert area.
Call for change
Knox says Hilton’s disappearance was part of a wider concern about public safety and justice across Manitoba and Canada.
“This is the same story that’s happening across our province and across our country, hence why we are just pushing for change across the board,” notes Knox.
She adds that resources have now been spent locating Hilton, instead of ensuring he was properly monitored in the first place.
“Also the frustration that money and time had to be spent to locate this individual. Again, just incredibly frustrated,” continues Knox.
RCMP reported just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday that they arrested James Hilton without incident, and he is now in custody in Winnipeg once again.
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