Driver charged in hit-and-run that killed cyclist

Ottawa police have charged a driver in connection withthe death of a cyclist in front of Ottawa City Hall in May.

Mukwoh Jordan-Wade Land, 33, has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death andfailing to stop at the scene of a collision causing death.

It comes nearly three months after a 60-year-old male cyclist, whose identity has not been released,was killed the morning of May 16 as hetravelled west along a bike lane onLaurier Avenue W.toward Elgin Street.

At the time, police saidthe driver of the black minivan that struck the cyclistabandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

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The cyclist suffered critical injuriesand was pronounced dead later that day at the Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus trauma unit.

Court documents show Land was arrested on May 17, the day after the crash, and charged with obstructing a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and nine firearms-related charges.

Less than a week later, the fentanyl charge was upgraded to possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Const. Amy Gagnon said Land has beenheld in custody for the last three months, prior tothe charges being laid in relationto the cyclist's death.

The crash led to calls to change the road's design, which has a bike lane between a right turn lane for vehiclesand through traffic, and is close to a merge lane offthe Queen Elizabeth Driveway.

Ottawa police lay charges in death of cyclist

5 years ago

Duration 0:46

Const. Amy Gagnon explains why the charges against Mukwoh Jordan-Wade Land, 33, have been laid now when the collision happened in May.

It also led to a memorial ride and demonstration, wherecycling advocates laid down red cups along the laneto point out thatthe design could be safer.

Heather Shearer, the president of Bike Ottawa, said she hopes the charges "will help to bring some sense of justice to those who are grieving."

In a statement, Shearer said the city has an opportunity to make a meaningful gesture by improving the intersection.