Police seize truck after Ontario man killed in hit and run

Regina police have seized an abandoned truck in connection with Tuesday’s hit and run on Winnipeg Street that killed a 50-year-old Ontario man.

The crash happened on the 1800 block of Winnipeg Street between 11th and 12th Avenue. Police and EMS responded to the crash at approximately 8:06 a.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s family has been notified, but his name is not being released.

Police confirmed that an abandoned truck found in an alley two blocks east of the scene was seized and is believed to have been involved in the hit and run. Tuesday, the alley was taped off while police were seen inspecting the tires of the truck.

The truck belongs to Regina-based Ryko Telecommunications, but police said in an emailed statement late Wednesday afternoon that the vehicle is believed to have been stolen prior to the incident. Blair Russell, a co-owner at Ryko, confirmed Tuesday afternoon by phone that he had been made aware by police that one of their vehicles was involved in an incident in the morning, but would not comment on the specific nature of the incident.

Pauline Alexson was making breakfast in her apartment above the Ukrainian Co-op on Tuesday morning when she heard a truck driving by and then a big noise.

“I heard a bang, like a bumping noise,” said Alexson.

When Alexson went to look outside, she saw a truck driving by and a running shoe flying through the air. She said the truck kept driving and turned onto 11th Avenue.

“It appeared to be a shoe anyway, kind of flying like at the back of his truck like up in the air,” said Alexson.

Alexson went back to cooking breakfast, but kept wondering where the shoe came from. She went to have another look, and saw something lying on the road. Alexson wasn’t wearing her glasses, so she asked her grandson to look.

“He comes and he said ‘That’s a body,’ ” said Alexson.

After her grandson called 911, Alexson saw paramedics checking the man’s vital signs.

“I think he was already gone,” said Alexson.

Alexson said the truck she saw was white with a black box on the back. She said the truck she saw did not match the one police seized in an alleyway near the scene. Alexson spoke to police about what she witnessed.

No arrests have been made, and police are still investigating.

“I hope they catch him or else, you know, he turns himself in,” said Alexson.

Police are also are asking anyone with information to contact them at 306-7776500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.