Renowned conductor Boris Brott dies in hit and run in Hamilton

Renowned conductor Boris Brott has died, after a hit and run in Hamilton’s Durand neighbourhood on Tuesday.

Boris Brott is described as an icon in the Canadian music industry. The 78-year-old conductor was killed Tuesday morning in a hit-and-run in downtown Hamilton.

Witnesses say a car was driving the wrong way on Markland Street and as it turned on Park Avenue, the car struck Brott. He later died in hospital.

Police say the driver fled the scene in his car but was arrested on Elmwood Avenue near Garth Street on Hamilton mountain which is about a five-minute drive from the first crash. The driver and three police officers were taken to hospital.

Since the police were involved, the Special Investigations Unit has now taken over the case.

The reaction to Brott’s death has been pouring in, the Boris Brott social media accounts say “it is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of the one and only musical genius and Canadian artistic visionary Boris Brott.”

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says she’s heartbroken over this loss writing, “from the National Academy Orchestra of Canada to Brott Music Festival and beyond, he shared his love of music with #hamont and the world.”

Liberal MP for Hamilton West Ancaster Dundas, Filomena Tassi writes, “a terrible tragedy and loss for our city and for Canada.”

Former president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Keanin Loomis weighed in writing, “more carnage on our street, this time taking the life of an icon who created decades of culture and brought so much acclaim to our city.”

No word on what the charges will be. Anyone who has a video of the incident is asked to contact the police.