St. Thomas, Ont. police lay additional charges against man accused in drunk driving death of 11-year-old boy
The man accused of allegedly crashing into a group of five pedestrians earlier this summer, resulting in the death of a young boy, is facing additional charges, police in St. Thomas said Wednesday.
At approximately 5 p.m. on July 4, 2023, a group of five people returning from a trip to McDonald’s were struck by a pickup truck travelling west on Talbot Street, near Caso Crossing, after an allegedly impaired driver lost control and jumped the curb.
An 11-year-old boy, later identified as Aiden Curtis, was killed in the crash.
Four others were injured in the crash, including a woman who was transported to London Health Sciences Centre with serious injuries.
In an interview with CTV News London the day after the crash, Aiden’s father Chad said his youngest son was killed only a few days before what would have been his 12th birthday.
In the weeks following Aiden's death, a large makeshift memorial was set up at the scene of the crash and a vigil took place in remembrance, and on what would have been his birthday, the community decorated their homes with red birthday balloons.
Aiden was laid to rest on July 11, 2023.
"He's our heart and joy. He's my youngest son. He's the most happy-go-lucky. If you ever met this boy, he's the greatest boy in the world. Everything you did for him he was just happy,” said Chad Curtis.
At the time, the suspect, 19-year-old Nicholas Lemke, was charged with impaired operation causing death and impaired operation causing bodily harm.
On Wednesday, police in St. Thomas announced that following a court appearance the day before, Lemke is now facing additional charges for his alleged involvement in the crash.
The additional charges include:
- Two (2) counts — dangerous operation causing bodily harm
- Dangerous operation causing death
- Impaired operation causing bodily harm
Police said the accused was processed on the additional charges during Tuesday’s court appearance and was released with a future court date.
— With files from CTV News London’s Brent Lale and Fiona Robertson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

'No one else has done this on the planet': Guilbeault insists emissions cap delay is due to novelty
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault says the delay in announcing details of his government’s proposed oil and gas sector emissions cap is due to its uniqueness and to wanting to get it right.
Canada has a secretive history of adoption, and some want it brought to light
In a theatre in St. John's, N.L., a murmur spreads through the audience as people timidly raise their hands. They have been asked if they saw their own stories reflected in the film they just watched -- 'A Quiet Girl.'
Buckingham Palace releases this year’s Christmas card
Buckingham Palace released an image of the Christmas card that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be sending out this year.
Tennessee residents clean up after severe weekend storms killed 6 people and damaged neighbourhoods
Central Tennessee residents and emergency workers cleaned up Sunday from severe weekend storms and tornadoes that killed six people and sent more to the hospital while damaging buildings, turning over vehicles and knocking out power to tens of thousands.
A gigantic new ICBM will take U.S. nuclear missiles out of the Cold War-era but add 21st-century risks
The $96 billion Sentinel overhaul involves 450 silos across five states, their control centres, three nuclear missile bases and several other testing facilities. The project is so ambitious it has raised questions as to whether the Air Force can get it all done at once.
'People are confused': Survey suggests Canadians need education on Charter rights
While one-third of Canadians say they have read the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, many fail to distinguish between its text and that of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, a new survey suggests.
Elon Musk restores X account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones
Elon Musk has restored the X account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, pointing to a poll on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter that came out in favour of the Infowars host who repeatedly called the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting a hoax.
Marathon Conservative carbon tax filibuster ends after nearly 30 consecutive hours of House votes
The Conservative-prompted filibuster in the House of Commons ended Friday night, after MPs spent nearly 30 hours voting non-stop on the government's spending plans.
Woman charged with manslaughter after 2 sets of young twins killed in 2021 U.K. fire
A woman has been charged with four counts of manslaughter after two sets of young twins were killed in a fire that ripped through a London home in 2021.