Man killed in hunting accident

News Release
OPP
The Rainy River District OPP, with assistance from the Northwest Region Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Unit and Ministry of Natural Resources, are currently investigating a hunting tragedy that occurred on December 5, 2007 in Morson township.
On December 5th around 4:30 p.m. a group of four teens were deer hunting in Morson Township. An accidental discharge of a firearm occurred resulting in the death of Tyler Cottam, age 18 of Nestor Falls.
The investigation is ongoing.
•The Rainy River District OPP Detachment reports the following ride statistics for the period from the 28th of November to the 5th of December. 1322 vehicles were checked at R.I.D.E. programs across the district. As a result of these checks 2- twelve hour suspensions were issued, 1 impaired driver was charged and 10 other traffic related charges were laid. 23 property damage motor vehicle collisions were reported and 0 personal injury collisions.
The OPP would like to remind motorists to be watchful for deer and moose when traveling local roadways and always drive in accordance to road and weather conditions.
With Christmas season upon us make sure to never leave valuables of any sort in your vehicle. Always lock your vehicle when unattended.
•Darren Rhoden, age 22, of Winnipeg, was arrested and charged with possession of Marihuana for the purpose of trafficking on the 23 of November. He had been driving a motor vehicle on the 300 block of Kings Highway in Fort Frances at 9:44 pm when he was stopped at a R.I.D.E program by the Rainy River District OPP. Investigation revealed him to be in possession of scales, money and 47 grams of Marijuana. Rhoden was remanded and kept in custody. He pled guilty to possession of Marijuana on the 26th of November.
•On the 06 December at 0420 am members of the Rainy River District OPP stopped a 1992 Dodge Caravan on Hwy 11 as it entered the Town of Fort Frances. Investigation revealed the vehicle to be from Manitoba and the occupants to be in possession of 37 Oxycontin pills and 30 grams crack cocaine. Helen Daigneault age 50 of Winnipeg Manitoba was arrested and charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking a narcotic, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance, and one count of Breach of probation. Gina King age 27 of Fort Frances was arrested and charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking a narcotic and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance. Both subjects were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear in Fort Frances court Dec. 7th.
of December

Dennis Morrison age 19 of Couchiching FNT is also facing charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Morrison was arrested bythe Rainy River District OPP officers on the 6th of December at 6pm after picking up a package that been shipped on the bus. Investigation revealed the package contained 120 Oxycontin pills. Morrison was later released and is scheduled to appear in Fort Frances Court on the 28th of January.