Ontario authorities have laid charges against a 41-year-old driver who allegedly struck two teenage pedestrians in Pelham and fled the scene on April 3. The incident occurred at approximately 2:20 a.m., according to Niagara Regional Police.
Authorities said the defendant, a Fonthill resident, was travelling west on Canboro Road in a 2005 Toyota Solaris, when his vehicle veered from the roadway toward four teenagers who were walking along the boulevard. He struck two of the teens and then drove away from the scene.
One of the victims, a 17-year-old female, was tossed a substantial distance from the impact and suffered serious injuries. She was transported to a local hospital, then transferred to a Hamilton hospital for further treatment, but she was later listed in stable condition. The second victim, an 18-year-old male from Fonthill, was treated for injuries at the scene.
Authorities received a civilian tip regarding the location of the Toyota, which was recovered in Fenwick around 7 a.m. The defendant was arrested and charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident while causing bodily harm. The accident remains under investigation by the NRP’s forensic services and collision reconstruction units and the 3 District criminal investigation branch.
Car accidents involving pedestrians often lead to catastrophic injuries for the pedestrian. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue damage and bone fractures are not uncommon, and it can take weeks or months to recover. In some cases, a victim could be left with a permanent disability that requires long-term medical care. A pedestrian who has been injured by a motor vehicle may wish to consult with a lawyer to obtain assistance filing an accident benefits claim or filing a lawsuit against the driver who struck them.
