Man suffers life-threatening injuries after yet another pedestrian hit on Hamilton roads

Hamilton police say a 42-year-old pedestrian is in life-threatening condition after a hit and run on the Mountain early Friday morning.

It's the second collision involving a pedestrian in the city within 24 hours and follows a rash of crashes that have killed people or left them seriously injured in recent weeks.

Officers were called to Upper Wentworth Street between Kingfisher Drive and the Lincoln Alexander Parkway around 2 a.m. after reports of a pedestrian down on the road, according to police.

Investigators say the 42-year-old Hamilton man was hit by a vehicle travelling south, and the driver failed to stay at the scene.

"A passerby, who immediately called 911, located the pedestrian," police stated in a media release.

Dave Thompson, a supervisor with Hamilton Paramedic Service, said the injured man was rushed to a local trauma centre with paramedics performing "advanced life-saving measures."

Police say the man's loved ones have been notified.

The collision reconstruction unit is continuing to investigate and asks anyone who witnessed the collision or has video of it to contact them.

Spate of incidents

The collision comes after a 62-year-old man was hit Thursday evening in Stoney Creek.

Thompson said he was hit by a car near Queenston Road around 6 p.m.

That pedestrian suffered an injury to an extremity, but Thompson said he was speaking with paramedics as they transported him to hospital in stable condition.

On Tuesday, renowned conductor Boris Brott was the victim of a hit and run in Hamilton's Durand neighbourhood.

And, last week, a 14-year-old girl was hospitalized after she was hit crossing the street at Dundurn and Main on March 31.

Police said she was on her way home from school at the time.

"Our thoughts remain with the families, loved ones and all those affected by these recent incidents," said Thompson.

"Unfortunately these incidents have taken a life and left others with potentially life-altering injuries.... I would implore us all to drive safely and undistracted, look out for each other whether you are driving, walking or just enjoying the outdoors. We all need to work together, ensuring our top priority is everyone making it home safely." 

The paramedic service's peer support teams are providing services to paramedics who have been involved in "traumatic events, such as these," Thompson added. 

'These tragedies are systemic'

Ian Brisbin is a personal injury lawyer who lives in Hamilton, practices in Burlington and has seen the "devastating" effects of those injured by motor vehicle collisions.

 He says recent incidents serve as evidence that the city prioritizes "speed and convenience over safety and equity." 

When pedestrians are injured or killed by drivers it "speaks to our collective failure to acknowledge that these tragedies are not isolated incidents, but are systemic," Brisbin wrote to CBC in an email. 

"Drivers of motor vehicles dominate how we view our cities," he said, pointing to what he called an "outdated model of planning" and calling for stronger convictions and sentencing for drivers and for city planners and policymakers to "adopt safety as their standalone top priority."