Update: Katelynn Porter, 16, perishes in West Lorne crash

Source: St. Thomas Times-Journal

ONTARIO - A 17-year-old Rodney teen has been charged at his hospital bedside with impaired driving causing death, after a 16-year-old West Lorne girl was killed Saturday evening in west Elgin when the pick-up truck in which she was a passenger drove off the road.

Meanwhile, tributes are beginning to flow in memory of Katelynn Lillian Porter, a student at West Elgin Secondary School.

A cross, surrounded by candles, flowers, a picture and a Dora the Explorer bag mark the spot where she was killed.

"In loving memory of Katelynn Porter. 12/12/09. 9:40 p.m." is written between two hearts on the roadside memorial, a makeshift cross.

Porter was pronounced dead at the scene after a neighbour, alerted by a crash victim, summoned help. And officials at her school were officials are trying to come to grips with the news of her death, especially so close to Christmas.

The driver also is charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, after another teen, a 17-year-old St. Thomas girl, also suffered serious injury.

Elgin OPP said Monday they are continuing to investigate circumstances surrounding the crash, including where the truck and occupants had been prior to the mishap.

"That's something we typically look into as the investigation goes on," Const. Troy Carlson said yesterday.

The truck was northbound on Dunborough Road just south of Pioneer Line about 9:40 p.m. when it left the road, drove into the east ditch and rolled, Elgin OPP said.

The driver was taken to Four Counties Health Services, Newbury. He remains in serious but stable condition, OPP said Monday.

He appeared Sunday by audio link before a justice of the peace and was remanded in custody under guard in hospital for a release hearing. He is charged as a young offender and his identity is protected.

The 17-year-old St. Thomas girl was taken to Four Counties hospital, then airlifted to London Health Sciences Centre. She also remains in serious but stable condition.

Meanwhile, police said Monday they discovered a fourth person also was in the crew-cab vehicle and was hurt in the crash, but left before police arrived. He was later found at a relative's home.

Noting the man was hurt himself, Carlson doubted the 21-year-old West Elgin man will face any charge.

"I don't think there would be anything — unless further information comes out."

His injury was described as minor.

Carlson said police will not be releasing names of the 21-year-old man nor 17-year-old girl, citing police practice generally to withhold names of victims.

Dunborough Road was closed for a number of hours while OPP technical traffic collision investigators reconstructed the crash.

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Source: Elgin OPP Media

17-year-old driver charged with impaired driving causing death/bodily harm charges

ONTARIO - Elgin County OPP today released the name of the sixteen year old female killed in the West Lorne collision Saturday evening as Katelynn Lillian Porter, 16, of West Elgin. The collision occurred Saturday night at approximately 9:40pm on Dunborough Road just south of Pioneer Line, Dutton/Dunwich.

Investigation has revealed that a fourth occupant, a 21 year old West Elgin man, had also been in the vehicle but departed the scene prior to police arrival. He was later found at a relative’s residence suffering from minor injuries.

Both the driver and surviving female passenger are still listed in serious but stable condition.

Police have charged the 17 year old male driver of the vehicle with Impaired Driving causing Death and Impaired Driving causing Bodily Harm.

The police continue to investigate this incident.

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A FaceGroup Group, In Loving Memory Of Katelynn Porter ♥, has been setup by Katelynn's friends to share memories and condolences.

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Source: London Free Press

Teen killed in West Lorne car crash

ONTARIO - A 16-year-old West Lorne girl is dead and two other teenagers seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Saturday night.

The crash occurred about 9:40 p.m. when a pickup truck traveling north on Dunborough Road went into the east ditch and rolled, Elgin OPP said.

The 17-year-old male driver from Rodney was taken to Four Counties Hospital and is listed in serious condition.

A 17-year-old female passenger from St. Thomas was taken to Four Counties, then airlifted to London Health Sciences Centre, where she is listed in serious condition.

A 16-year-old female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

The names of the victims are being withheld until next of kin are notified.

Investigators blocked off Dunborough Road between Marsh and Pioneer Lines, just south of Highway 401 near West Lorne for most of the night to determine the cause of the crash.