The case against an Onion Lake man charged in connection to a hit and run death on Onion Lake Cree Nation was adjourned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Danny Boy Thunder Makoksis, 31, was scheduled to make his first court appearance April 1 at Onion Lake Circuit Court on charges of failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
Makoksis was arrested last month after what police called a “complex and lengthy” investigation by Onion Lake RCMP, North Battleford Provincial General Investigation Section, Major Crimes North and North Battleford Forensic Investigation Section. Police, however, didn’t reveal what led them to charge Makoksis.
Shane Opissinow, 31, was found dead in a slough near the Nine Mile Road about one kilometre south of the Chief Taylor Road intersection in Onion Lake on May 14, 2018.
Police found him submerged in a slough just off the west side of the road.
A service for Opissinow was held on May 19, 2018, at the Onion Lake Communiplex.
Opissinow’s obituary says that “Shane had a very big heart, and was honest, hard working with a huge sense of humour.
“You couldn’t find him without a tool in his hand or writing a lyric,” his obituary continued. “Everybody knows him as ‘Saucy Man.’ He always showed respect for everyone. Telling his many stories of his hitchhiking adventures. Whether going to visit his friends or family or going for a walk. He loved his walks. Most of all, his greatest love was for his two girls.”
Makoksis is scheduled to appear in Onion Lake Circuit Court on June 3.
Onion Lake Cree Nation is about 30 kilometres north of Lloydminster and borders Alberta and Saskatchewan.
