Toronto police say a man has been charged in connection with a double-fatal boating accident in late May that claimed the lives of two people.
It was shortly before midnight on May 31 when a boat traveling to Toronto Harbor in the Tommy Thompson Park area crashed into a breakwater on a rock island, causing it to capsize.
Eight people who were aboard the 30-foot motorboat with a cabin were rescued by the Marine Corps.
Police said a search was underway to locate two other people who were on the boat at the time of the collision.
Read more: ‘A beautiful person inside and out’: Toronto boating accident victim identified as Megan Wu, 24
A 34-year-old man and 24-year-old Megan Wu, identified to Global News by Wu’s parents, were found dead and pulled from the water.
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“Unfortunately, she was trapped in an overturned vessel and was unable to escape the wreckage,” William Wu told Global News shortly after the boat accident.
Megan Wu, 24, was killed in a boating collision in Toronto on May 31.
Read more: 2 dead after boat collision in Toronto harbour: police
On Friday, police said they had arrested a 38-year-old Mississauga man in connection with the incident.
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Philip Grakowski faces two counts of criminal negligence causing death and impaired operation causing death.
Gerkovski also faces four counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and impaired operation causing bodily harm.
He is due in court in Toronto on October 4.
Speaking to Global News on Friday, William Wu said he did not want his daughter’s death “to be in vain”.
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“I want to make sure my daughter’s message is loud and clear,” he said. “With this holiday long weekend, the weather may prompt recreational enthusiasts to get out on the water. I want the entire boating community to take all necessary precautions this weekend.
Wu urged boaters to “practice safe boating.”
“Wear a certified life jacket – it could save your life,” he said. “Respect other boaters, respect other watercraft around you (and) get your boat in before dark.”
“Most importantly, do not drive your vehicle while impaired,” he continued. “I know my daughter’s death could have been prevented and now is the time to make sure the entire boating community takes the right steps to prevent another boating tragedy.”
Wu said he didn’t want “another family to go through the trauma that my family had to go through.”
“I don’t want to see anyone lose their life this weekend,” he said.
— With files from Hannah Jackson of Global News
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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