HIT-AND-RUN INVESTIGATION
Police still probing death of child
A minivan was placed under investigation while Windsor police renewed their request to the public for any information about the suspect vehicle in a deadly hit-andrun incident that took a child's life.
On Thursday evening, yellow police tape surrounded a residence in a neighbourhood in the area of Central Avenue and Grand Marais Road East.
A silver minivan could be seen at the rear of the driveway of the residence.
The major crime branch would not confirm that the vehicle is being investigated in relation to the collision that took the life of a child pedestrian on the night of Nov. 15.
Staff Sgt. Sean Bender emphasized that the case is ongoing, and investigators continue to need any information the community can provide — in particular, surveillance camera images of vehicles matching the description.
On Thursday, the major crime branch disclosed that it is now believed the suspect vehicle may have been in the 1600 block of Balfour Boulevard on Nov. 15 around 8:55 p.m.
Detectives urge any residences or businesses in that area to check surveillance cameras for images of a silver minivan.
Anyone with dashcam videos of the area around that time is also asked to check their recordings.
The collision occurred at Jefferson Boulevard and Haig Avenue around 8:45 p.m. last Sunday night.
Few details have been released, but the victim was a child pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle, and later succumbed to injuries.
The vehicle did not remain on the scene.
Going by video evidence obtained so far, Windsor police have described the vehicle as a silver minivan with a distinct black decal visible on its passenger side, painted running boards, a black roof rack and a black-tinted bug deflector mounted on its front.
Police ask that residents review any surveillance footage taken within the geographic area bound by Lauzon Road/parkway to the east, Drouillard Road to the west, Riverside Drive East to the north, and Tecumseh Road East to the south. Any footage recorded between 8 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on Sunday should be checked.
Investigators are also asking any mechanics or body shops, vehicle parts stores, and drive-thru or self-service car washes to review surveillance footage from the time of the incident until the present.
“We understand this is days worth of video we are requesting the community to review,” police said in a news release on Thursday. “The family deserves answers.”
Since retention of surveillance footage “is often time-sensitive,” police said, “we are requesting the community take immediate action in reviewing any footage.”
While police thank the community for their assistance and the information they have provided to date, “the suspect vehicle has not been located and we are still requesting the continued efforts of the public to located the vehicle and suspect.”
A candlelight vigil for the child who died is being held on Friday at 6 p.m. at the intersection where the hit-and-run occurred.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-2588477 (TIPS), or online at catchcrooks.com.