Parents Demand Justice Reform After Fatal Crash Suspect Escapes

URGENT UPDATE: The parents of Kellie Verwey, a 28-year-old woman tragically killed in a deadly crash, are calling for immediate changes to the justice system after the suspect, James Hilton, breached his release conditions and left a treatment center. This alarming development comes just days after Hilton was granted bail following a serious car accident on January 15, 2025.

During a press conference held at the Manitoba Legislative Building, Kellie’s mother, Meechelle Best, expressed her devastation after learning that Hilton had been released to a secure facility. “We went through the bail hearing to put our faith in the justice system,” Best said, emphasizing that the outcome should have ensured Hilton would be under strict supervision. “Monday, we got information that he had been released… Shortly thereafter, we found out that he was posting on social media about being happy about being out of jail.”

This shocking breach of trust has intensified the family’s plea for judicial reform. Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza revealed that Hilton was gone “within hours” of his release to the treatment center, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of current legal protocols. “This justice system needs change… We don’t know where he is. The police don’t know where he is,” Best stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Authorities confirmed that an arrest warrant was issued for Hilton on Tuesday afternoon. Within an hour, RCMP reported that he was apprehended without incident and is now in custody in Winnipeg. This rapid response followed widespread public outrage over his initial release.

“The Justice Minister said this must be nonpartisan and pledged swift and decisive action,” Bereza stated. “This government has done nothing but say this is a federal issue.”

Progressive Conservative leader Obby Khan emphasized the provincial responsibility in this case, asserting that the judicial system’s failure led to Hilton’s escape. “It was a provincial court judge who released this person to an unsecured facility, which led to his escape,” he noted, amplifying calls for accountability within the justice system.

After the press conference, Kellie’s parents met with Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe to voice their frustrations. “Their frustration is the same kind of frustration that we’ve had, that the premier expressed along with the first ministers across the country,” Wiebe acknowledged, but Kellie’s family insists that concrete changes must be made. “Maybe there’s a million things going on, but it’s not making a difference,” Best lamented. “We Manitobans—we can’t see it.”

The emotional weight of this tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform in the justice system. As the community rallies around Kellie’s family, the call for justice resonates louder than ever, urging officials to ensure that such lapses do not happen again. The parents are determined to keep pushing for change that could prevent future tragedies.

As this story develops, all eyes will be on the Manitoba government to see how they will respond to these urgent demands for accountability and reform in the wake of such a devastating loss.