Man charged after pedestrian injured in hit-and-run in downtown Hamilton on Sunday

A man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run in downtown Hamilton on Sunday night that left a pedestrian with life-threatening injuries.

Police say a man was walking on Wellington St. North, between King William St. and King St. East, around 10 p.m.

Police say he was struck by a driver in a 2008 Nissan sedan that was travelling southbound on Wellington St. Police say the pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk.

The driver fled the scene.

The pedestrian, a 31-year-old man, was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his leg and head. He remains in hospital.

Police say the vehicle was found a short time later, abandoned on Twenty Rd. East with what police call “obvious signs of an intentional fire.”

The registered owner of the vehicle turned himself in to police the next day.

Antonio Diego Ayala, 21, of Hamilton has been charged with fail to remain causing bodily harm, public mischief and arson to personal property.

He has a court date scheduled on Jan. 27.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-546-4753.