Chatham courthouse. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Windsor

Chatham man charged in Tilbury fatal crash pleads not guilty

A man accused of killing a teen in a head-on crash in Tilbury a year ago has pleaded not guilty and has selected a trial by jury.

The lawyer for Jaise Thomas, 26, of Chatham, entered a not guilty plea on Monday morning in Chatham court.

A trial date has not yet been set.

Thomas is charged with dangerous driving causing death in connection with a fatal head-on crash that took place on Queen’s Line between Wheeler Line and Davidson Road, just outside of Tilbury, on January 20, 2025.

The collision claimed the life of 18-year-old Sebastian Belliveau.

A preliminary hearing for Thomas got underway on Monday in Chatham court. The hearing began with witnesses testifying about what they saw that day, and facing cross-examination.

A publication ban prevents any evidence from being made public until the end of the trial.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for six days over the next month.

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