15-year-old in critical condition after hit by pickup truck on Sunday night

A 15-year-old is fighting for his life at McMaster Children's Hospital after being struck by a truck Sunday night — the latest in what Hamilton police have called an "astounding" and "unacceptable" uptick in collisions involving pedestrians.

Police say the teenager was crossing Queenston Road at Nash Road in Hamilton's east end, shortly after 11 p.m. when a driver behind the wheel of a 2006 Dodge Ram hit him.

The teen was taken to hospital in critical condition and the 79-year-old driver remained at the scene. Police say investigators have ruled out speed and impairment as causes for the incident.

The collision reconstruction unit is investigating and anyone with information can contact the service with information.

The incident follows a string of crashes that have killed eight pedestrians  — for context there were nine pedestrians killed in all of 2021 and four pedestrians killed in 2020.

Two weeks ago, Chief Frank Bergen said in a video the police service are focused on targeting speeders, aggressive drivers, distracted drivers and drivers who are drinking or using drugs behind the steering wheel.

"We're also targeting Hamilton's Top 10 collision intersections in an effort to reduce collisions and we're working closely with the City of Hamilton on implementing road safety reform," he said in a video posted online.

He also said people need to follow the rules of the road.

Warrant for suspect in Mountain hit and run

The latest incident involving the 15-year-old also comes as police have issued a warrant for a suspect in the most recent crash that killed a pedestrian — a hit and run on the Mountain.

In the early morning hours of April 8, police say Glen Harison Clark, 42, was hit by a vehicle travelling south on Upper Wentworth Street. He later died. 

Police say a 37-year-old man is now wanted for failing to remain at the scene causing death.

Officers say they don't know the suspect's location.

Grimsby man accused in Boris Brott death

Earlier that same week, on April 5, conductor Boris Brott was killed in a hit and run in Hamilton.

Police said at roughly 10:20 a.m., Brott was hit on Park Street South at Markland Street. He died after being taken to hospital.

A police chase following the incident led to a crash at Elmwood Avenue near Garth Street and West 19th Street.

The three officers and the accused were taken to hospital, according to police.

Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is also investigating.

According to court documents, a 34-year-old Grimsby man, Arsenije Lojovic, faces charges for failing to stop after a crash resulting in a death, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and breaching probation.

MPP urges province to take action

Sandy Shaw, NDP MPP for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas, wrote a letter to provincial Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney last week about the string of crashes.

"Preventable tragedies from collisions are on the rise in our community," she wrote. "In February, the 8th cyclist in less than two years was struck by a vehicle. Another collision in February marked at least the eighth time a Dundas pedestrian or cyclist was struck and injured in the past 21 months."

Shaw called for provincial action on the issue.

"Municipalities like Hamilton need provincial support and funding to develop active transportation plans that incorporate the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users."