Arrest in QEW fatal hit-and-run

Man turns self in to police

The man allegedly responsible for injuring eight people and killing an 11-year-old boy in a QEW crash last week has turned himself in, the Ontario Provincial Police said Tuesday.

Just before 3 a.m. on July 17, a white Volvo tractor-trailer struck a Ford Aerostar van from behind on the QEW near Ontario St. and Bartlett Ave. in Beamsville.

The collision caused the van to leave the roadway, smash into a steel barrier and violently roll over before coming to rest in a ditch.

The driver of the tractor-trailer fled the scene.

Laszlo Balogh Jr., an 11-yearold boy from Toronto, was pronounced dead at the crash scene and eight other occupants of the van were rushed to hospital.

One of the occupants remains in hospital in critical condition.

The OPP tracked down the t ractor- t railer, abandoned in Brampton, shortly after the collision.

“He turned himself in Monday afternoon to our Burlington detachment,” said Sgt. Dave Woodford, adding the accused was then transported to the Niagara detachment to be processed.

A 27-year-old Brampton man, whose name is protected by a court-imposed publication ban, is charged with failing to stop at a scene of an accident causing death and eight counts of failing to stop at an accident causing bodily harm.

“But that doesn’t mean additional charges won’t be coming,” added Woodford, noting the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information can contact the Niagara OPP detachment at 905-356-1311.

The man made his first court appearance Tuesday in St. Catharines.

Meanwhile, Balogh’s parents and four siblings face possible deportation.

According to an aunt who spoke with QMI Agency earlier this week, they had their first hearing July 13 and are waiting for the next.

Originally from Hungary, they want to take Balogh’s body with them if they are forced to leave, Toronto’s Roma Community Centre spokeswoman Gina Csanyi confirmed.

“The family is unsure of how to properly commemorate their young child because they’re not sure if they’re going to stay in this country.”