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An arrest has been made in a fatal Mississauga hit-and-run in which cops allege the driver removed a licence plate after the collision to avoid detection.
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On Nov. 14 just after 9 p.m., Peel Regional Police say a Mini Cooper hit and killed a pedestrian at the intersection of Eglinton Ave. W. and Fallingbrook Dr.
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“The driver then fled the scene without stopping to render assistance to the victim,” police alleged in a news release, adding, “Through an extensive canvass of the area, investigators located CCTV video that shows a male suspect removing the rear licence plate of the vehicle and conceal it in the trunk before fleeing.”
An image of the Mini Cooper that Peel police say was involved in a deadly hit and run on Nov. 14, 2015. PRP
On Tuesday, police located the vehicle and made an arrest. Romany Elhariry, 46, of Mississauga, is charged with failure to stop at scene of accident resulting in death.
His first court appearance is set for Dec. 22 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
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Family says victim was ‘kind man’
Police said they are identifying the victim, Santosh Kumar Patra, 56, of Mississauga, “at the request of the family.”
In a GoFundMe campaign, his family calls the collision “devastating” and says the “grief of losing him in such a manner is shocking, and we are struggling to process this heavy loss.”
They are remembering him as a “kind man” who “was always known to strike up a conversation with people he did not even know, and he loved sharing stories.”
“Deep in his heart, he was always family-oriented and wanted the best for us. He supported our home financially and emotionally, and now losing him suddenly has caused heartbreak and financial strain on top of mourning. His loss leaves a void that can never be filled, but we cherish the beautiful memories he made with us.”
They said the fundraiser, which as of Thursday morning has exceeded $15,000, will go towards “the sudden and unexpected financial burden” including the funeral cost, time off work, and bills.
Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said of the tragedy: “An innocent member of our community lost their life due to the reckless actions of an individual — who we will hold fully accountable.
“This investigation underscores the strong collaboration between police and the public that led to the suspect’s identification. We thank those who came forward with information and commend the swift, thorough actions of our investigators.”
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The Major Collision Bureau asks anyone with information to contact them at 905-453-2121 ext. 3710 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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