Hamilton man and dog killed in hit-and-run while out for walk, police seek witnesses

UPDATE

A 70-year-old man and his dog have died after being struck by a vehicle while out for a walk in Hamilton Sunday night.

Police say they received a call about an injured person near Lawrence Rd. and Hillside Ave. at 9:15 p.m.

Officers arrived on scene and found a pedestrian and dog on the ground.

Paramedics transported the man to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries where he later died. The man’s three-year-old dog died at the scene.

Police believe the man and his dog were crossing Lawrence Rd. when a vehicle travelling eastbound struck them both. The driver fled the scene.

The man’s wife spoke with CHCH News and said her husband took their dog out for a 20-minute walk around the neighbourhood every night. She says when he didn’t return home she worried he may have slipped.

The collision reconstruction unit has taken over the investigation.

The suspect vehicle is described as a white Chevrolet. Police say it would have “notable damage” to the front end.

Lawrence Rd. was closed while officers were on scene but reopened shortly after 2 a.m.

Anyone with information that could help with the investigation is asked to contact Hamilton police.

This is the city’s first traffic fatality of the year.