Police in Peel Region have released video footage showing the moments before the driver of a pickup truck fatally struck a pedestrian in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday evening and fled.
The hit-and-run collision happened in the Erin Mills neighbourhood, at the intersection of Winston Churchill Boulevard and Dundas Street West, shortly before 6 p.m., Peel Regional Police said.
They said a pedestrian was in the crosswalk when a dark-coloured pickup truck travelling south on Winston Churchill Boulevard turned west onto Dundas Street West, hitting and running over a person.
Police, fire, and paramedic services arrived and performed life-saving measures, however the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the victim, who is only being described as a man in his 60s, has not been released.
Investigators have also not released any further information about the motorist who took off in their vehicle.
Suspect vehicle identified
On Wednesday, Const. Tyler Bell-Morena, of PRP, said they have now identified the suspect’s vehicle: a 1999 to 2005 model year Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, 500 series, that is two-tone dark in colour.
He said that it could have front right damage, “either a bumper hood or the quarter panel, or a combination of the three.”
“So right now, actively, the investigators are following up on CCTV cameras as well as substantial dashcam footage that has been provided to investigators, and they are following up with leads as we speak now, which will likely identify that suspect vehicle before the end of the day,” he said.
“We’re asking for is any motorists that were in the vicinity travelling in that intersection, either southbound on Winston Churchill Boulevard or westbound on Dundas, in and around 6 o’clock (on Tuesday evening), to please have a look at that footage, retain that footage, and if you happen to have caught this 2005 to 1999 model year Chevrolet pickup truck, to please contact investigators with our Major Collision Bureau.”
Bell-Morena said police have “multiple angles of footage of this collision,” as officers continue to work in the background to try to “follow the path of that truck” and pursue leads.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that you have hit somebody and you have killed somebody. It is a matter of time before we are knocking on your door. So seek legal advice and turn yourself in to police,” he said to the motorist.
The media officer went on to say that they’re working to determine whether or not the pedestrian was crossing the road with the walking signal or the hand signal activated.
“However, that being said, regardless of that signal, motorists making a turn have a duty to ensure that they can make that turn safely and without any obstruction in that crosswalk,” said Bell-Morena.
“I’ve looked at the video. It’s appalling video. There’s no question that this individual hits an individual, and they stop without checking to see on the well-being of this person. So there’s no question there. It’s a matter of time before we find this person.”
‘A series of very poor decisions’
The constable added that when a driver is involved in a collision where another person is hurt, especially a pedestrian, there may be a “level of fear” they experience but said they should have stopped and rendered aid to that individual.
“You’re a human before you are a driver, and you need to stop and make sure that you haven’t hurt anybody. And if you have, you call 911 and get people there to try and help,” he said.
“This didn’t happen, so there’s there’s only so much leeway you can give somebody for being frightened after a collision. In this case, it’s broad daylight. There was no question that a collision took place here. This driver made a series of very poor decisions in the aftermath.”
Investigators gathering video, info
On Monday night, Const. Moulika Sharma, also of Peel Regional Police, said they’re still in the “very early stages” of their investigation.
When asked about the circumstances surrounding the incident, she said officers are gathering evidence, including surveillance video.
“There’s a lot of work going on diligently behind the scenes right now. We are trying to determine every single aspect as to what led to this incident,” said Sharma, who is also encouraging the driver to get a lawyer and surrender to authorities.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Peel Regional Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
With files from CP24’s Bryann Aguilar
