Hit and run SUV alleged to have nearly caused a head-on crash

A Fort Erie woman is asking drivers with dash cameras to check their footage after another vehicle struck her car before speeding away.

Around noon on November 29, Fort Erie resident Shannon Dugas says she was driving with her partner and their children through the intersection of Helena Street and Dominion Road when a driver in a sport utility vehicle clipped the rear of her car and fled the scene.

No driver has been identified as of publication.

Dugas told Fort Erie Radio the collision occurred as their vehicle was travelling through the south-end intersection. She said the family had been out together when the other vehicle came around the corner and nearly struck their car head-on. After swerving, the other vehicle hit the back of Dugas’ car instead.

The impact did not leave anyone with physical injuries.

“My eldest son is a bit more apprehensive while he’s in the car, but that’s to be expected,” said Dugas.

Dugas believes the other vehicle may have been a red or purple Kia Sorento. She and her family weren’t able to get the license plate before the vehicle took off.

Dugas later went to the collision reporting centre to make an official report. She said no officer investigated the scene at the time of the incident, and that she provided contact information to police for another driver who had witnessed the collision.

Dugas’ partner walked door-to-door near the intersection to ask neighbours if any nearby homes or businesses had cameras facing the road, but none had footage that captured the collision or the fleeing vehicle.

Since the crash, Dugas said she has thought a lot about how hard it is to identify a driver who leaves the scene of an accident.

“Since the person fled the scene, I really wish I had a dash camera at the time of the accident. So I recommend people look into that if they are able,” she said.

Under Ontario law, drivers involved in a collision are required to stop, remain or return to the scene and share their name, address and insurance details, and leaving can result in charges under both the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code.

Fort Erie Radio reached out to Niagara Regional Police several days prior to publication but did not receive a response to requests for additional information.

Anyone who was near Helena Street and Dominion Road around 12 p.m. that day, or who may have dash camera or security footage showing a red or purple SUV at the intersection, can contact police through the non-emergency line or reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

Stay Informed

Events, offers, contests, and breaking news, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Subscribe