Police believe Linc fatal crash connected to Hamilton high school rivalry

Hamilton police say a fatal crash that happened Friday on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway is believed to have stemmed from a fight between students at two local high schools.

Officers say a black Ford Focus and silver Infinity were chasing a Toyota Rav 4 in the parking lot of St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School.

They say it was connected to a series of “escalating incidents between St. Jean de Brébeuf and Nora Frances Henderson students.”

Witnesses told police at least two vehicles were racing eastbound on the Linc around 2:30 p.m. when two of the vehicles collided and lost control.

The SUV with three people inside rolled over several times near the Upper Gage overpass.

All three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Hamilton’s Catholic school board confirms Monday that a 15-year-old Brébeuf student named Jayden Ezra Durant Russell died in hospital.

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help his family cover funeral costs.

Hamilton police spokesperson Jackie Penman says another teen remains in hospital Monday in stable condition, while the other person has been discharged.

READ MORE: 1 teen dead, 2 in hospital after multi-vehicle crash on Hamilton’s Linc

On Saturday, investigators arrested and charged 18-year-old Vincenzino Stumpo of Hamilton with dangerous operation causing bodily harm and dangerous operation causing death.

A bail hearing for Stumpo is scheduled for Tuesday.

Police continue to search for the silver Infiniti believed to have been involved in the fatal collision. They say the driver is “encouraged to turn himself in and speak to detectives.”

Officers say they are “working with both school communities to ensure the safety of staff and students.”

Hamilton police will be in the area of St. Jean de Brébeuf and Nora Frances Henderson high schools on Tuesday to “maintain a secure environment and address any concerns.”

Witnesses or those with dashcam video from the area at the time of the crash are asked to contact police at 905-546-4753 or reconunit@hamiltonpolice.ca.

The death was Hamilton’s 10th fatality from a vehicular collision so far this year.

READ MORE: Teen arrested in Lincoln Alexander Parkway speeding fatality