Investigators have located and seized the vehicle alleged to have been involved in Wednesday’s fatal hit and run collision on Fairground Road in Cultus, west of Port Rowan.
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“At this time, I can confirm that investigators have located and seized the vehicle involved in the incident,” Const. Andrew Gamble said in a Sunday post on X formerly Twitter. “I can also confirm that investigators have positively identified the driver of the vehicle.
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“However, search efforts for the driver remain ongoing at this time.”
There is no threat to public safety, Gamble said.
Gamble did not say where the vehicle was found nor did he identify the driver in the post. He thanked those who called OPP with information to help investigators.
“It is important to understand that the collaborative effort between the OPP and the public is absolutely crucial to bringing this investigation to a resolution,” Gamble said.
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Dominik Short-Empey, 14, was struck by a pickup truck on Fairground Road in Cultus at about 5:25 p.m. Wednesday. He died later in hospital.
The OPP told the family Thursday night that investigators were looking for a dark gray Sierra pickup truck made between 2004 and 2014 with front-end damage and a broken head light.
Described as a carefree teen with a heart of gold, Dominik was a well-liked Grade 10 student at Valley Heights Secondary School near Langton and worked at Tim Hortons on Oxford Street in Tillsonburg.
Teachers at Valley Heights described Dominik as “a quiet, honest young man who always looked out for his friends.
“He was highly skilled in hands-on technology courses and a valued member of his school community,” the Grand Erie school board said in a statement. “He will be greatly missed by the staff and students at Valley Heights, and especially by those who were fortunate enough to be his friends.”
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Supports are available for “anyone feeling the impact of this tragic news,” the board said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family to provide “love and support in this extremely difficult time by helping them ease any financial burdens they may face at this time.”
Investigators from the Norfolk OPP Crime Unit and the OPP West Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team urge anyone who traveled on Fairground Road between the 5th and 6th Concession from 5 pm to 5:30 pm to contact police if they have dash cam footage of the incident or observed anything unusual.
Residents in the area are asked to check their surveillance cameras to see if recordings were made of the pedestrian or vehicle involved in the crash.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.helpsolvecrime.com.
Those who knew Dominik are invited to attend a public visitation on Tuesday between 6 and 8 pm in the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes Chapel in Langton.
His funeral will be held Wednesday, at 11 am at the funeral home.
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