Waterloo pastor thrown from motorcycle and critically hurt
DUFFERIN COUNTY — A pastor from Waterloo Region was thrown from his motorcycle when the bike and a minivan collided on Airport Road near Orangeville on Friday.
Rev. Dale Hoch of Waterloo remains in critical condition. He was airlifted to a trauma centre in Toronto.
Const. Paul Nancekivell of Dufferin OPP said injuries to the man’s legs are major.
Nancekivell said Hoch has a “long road to recovery and may not walk again.”
OPP officers were called to Airport Road at Dufferin Road 21 just before 1 p.m. for a two-vehicle crash in Mulmur Township.
Police said a minivan was travelling east on Dufferin Road 21 and failed to stop for a stop sign. The driver hit the motorcycle which was going north.
Hoch, a pastor at World Outreach Ministries in Waterloo, was thrown from the bike.
A statement by the family said Hoch, who was driving the speed limit, was “broadsided by a van that blew through a stop sign. For that driver, we pray. Life will never be the same.”
Hoch’s sister-in-law, Phyllis Hoch, said two of Hoch’s friends were following him. They were not hurt.
Phyllis Hoch said her brother-in-law remains heavily sedated in the intensive care unit and will require surgery.
She said the injuries are to his lower body and there are broken bones, but no spinal or head injury.
Phyllis Hoch said his wife Edith and other family members are at his side.
“We have had opportunity to sit with him and pray over him,” she said. “Although we know he would rather be praying over others, he told us once that he believes prayers are eternal.”
Nancekivell said charges are pending against the driver of the minivan who sustained minor injuries.