Once the clock struck 1:30 p.m., doors to police vehicles were opened and officers escorted Brian Robert King and Steven Ryan Mercer into the building. Greeting them were people holding up pictures of Hannah Thorne. The 18-year-old was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in a two-vehicle accident on July 7. The teen from New Harbour didn’t survive. Her grandmother, who was driving Hannah home that day, was injured.
King, 30, and Mercer, 29, were allegedly engaged in an illegal street race while travelling along the New Harbour Barrens. They face identical charges — criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing death, criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, street racing causing death, street racing causing bodily harm and breach of probation.
According to Bay Roberts RCMP, King was the driver in the second vehicle involved in the collision. He lives in Bay Roberts, while Mercer resides in Upper Island Cove.
SEE RELATED:
'Men charged with street racing causing fatal collision'
'Fatal accident on New Harbour Barrens'
Their heads were lowered sitting in the prisoner’s box as people filled up the courtroom. Prosecutor Natalie Payne indicated the Crown is opposed to releasing the two men, and a bail hearing is scheduled to get underway Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Defence lawyer Doug Moores, who is representing King, stated for the record his client is scheduled to work in Alberta later this week and would therefore like to have the hearing held sooner rather than later.
In a Facebook post published just over a week after the accident, Hannah’s mother Gail talked about what the family was going through losing her at such a young age.
“Hannah was tragically killed and taken from us all much too early,” she wrote. “Our loss, and your loss too, is too great to bear on our own, but somehow together we are helping each other move forward. We know you are sad, angry and are still grieving just as we are, but we urge you to please use your energy and focus in a positive way. Instead of focusing on the actions of others, consider how we all can be safer drivers. Enjoy every second with your loved ones and hug them a little tighter.”
This story has been edited to correct information about the home communities of the accused.
Once the clock struck 1:30 p.m., doors to police vehicles were opened and officers escorted Brian Robert King and Steven Ryan Mercer into the building. Greeting them were people holding up pictures of Hannah Thorne. The 18-year-old was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in a two-vehicle accident on July 7. The teen from New Harbour didn’t survive. Her grandmother, who was driving Hannah home that day, was injured.
King, 30, and Mercer, 29, were allegedly engaged in an illegal street race while travelling along the New Harbour Barrens. They face identical charges — criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing death, criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, street racing causing death, street racing causing bodily harm and breach of probation.
According to Bay Roberts RCMP, King was the driver in the second vehicle involved in the collision. He lives in Bay Roberts, while Mercer resides in Upper Island Cove.
SEE RELATED:
'Men charged with street racing causing fatal collision'
'Fatal accident on New Harbour Barrens'
Their heads were lowered sitting in the prisoner’s box as people filled up the courtroom. Prosecutor Natalie Payne indicated the Crown is opposed to releasing the two men, and a bail hearing is scheduled to get underway Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Defence lawyer Doug Moores, who is representing King, stated for the record his client is scheduled to work in Alberta later this week and would therefore like to have the hearing held sooner rather than later.
In a Facebook post published just over a week after the accident, Hannah’s mother Gail talked about what the family was going through losing her at such a young age.
“Hannah was tragically killed and taken from us all much too early,” she wrote. “Our loss, and your loss too, is too great to bear on our own, but somehow together we are helping each other move forward. We know you are sad, angry and are still grieving just as we are, but we urge you to please use your energy and focus in a positive way. Instead of focusing on the actions of others, consider how we all can be safer drivers. Enjoy every second with your loved ones and hug them a little tighter.”
This story has been edited to correct information about the home communities of the accused.