Fort Erie driver arrested following fatal hit and run in Port Colborne

Brent Jones
October 7, 2024 at 9:02 AM

Emergency services were called to Silver Bay Road in Port Colborne in the early hours of October 6 following a report of a pedestrian being struck.

Niagara Regional Police Service, Niagara Emergency Medical Services, and Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene, where they discovered a 53-year-old man from Port Colborne critically injured.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim was found in a ditch on the east side of Silver Bay Road, just south of the Friendship Trail. Damaged vehicle parts were found near the victim.

Investigators believe that the collision occurred between 10 p.m. and midnight on Saturday.

The victim had been walking along Silver Bay Road when he was struck. Family members discovered him after he failed to return home and began searching for him.

Detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Unit, along with detectives from 3 District and the Forensic Services Unit, launched an investigation into the incident.

It was initially determined that the suspect vehicle was a dark-coloured SUV with damage to the front left corner, including the headlight, fender, and potentially the grille.

On Sunday evening, a 37-year-old male suspect from Fort Erie surrendered to Niagara police in Niagara Falls. A black Jeep Commander, believed to be involved in the incident, was located and seized by detectives at a residence in Fort Erie.

The suspect has been charged with failing to stop after an accident resulting in death. He is being held in custody pending a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines later today.

Silver Bay Road, south of the Friendship Trail, remained closed during the investigation but has since reopened.

Police urge anyone with information regarding the incident or any relevant video footage from the area between 10 p.m. and midnight on October 5 to come forward.