According to law enforcement authorities with the Niagara Regional Police, a 41-year-old Fonthill man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a teenage girl. The incident reportedly occurred around 2:20 a.m. on April 2 in Pelham.Reportedly, four teenagers, including the injured girl, were walking along Canboro toward Haist after crossing over from the south sidewalk to the north boulevard.The 41-year-old man was reportedly driving on Canboro Road when he apparently left the north side of the road, entering the boulevard and striking all four teenagers.After allegedly striking the youths, the man reportedly fled the accident scene.
The 17-year-old girl was thrown a far distance in the accident. Responding emergency personnel transported her first to an area hospital and later on to Hamilton Health Sciences Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. She is reportedly currently in serious but stable condition. An 18-year-old male companion was also injured in the accident, but his injuries were minor. He was treated and released at the scene.
A citizen reportedly called in a tip that lead to the arrest of the 41-year-old man. He is currently in custody on charges of failing to stop in an accident causing injury.Auto-pedestrian accidents can be especially catastrophic due to the relevant vulnerability of pedestrians. Unlike car occupants, pedestrians do not have the protection afforded by a vehicle’s frame.
In the event a pedestrian is seriously injured when they are struck by a vehicle, they may want to file a personal injury civil lawsuit against the driver. Such lawsuits can be filed even if a criminal case is also pending. Injured victims may thus want to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Source: Welland Tribune, "Update: Man charged in Pelham hit-and-run," Maryanne Firth, April 3, 2015.