Hamilton police say a fatal crash that happened Friday on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway is believed to be connected to a series of escalating incidents between two local high schools.
On Saturday, officers arrested a teenaged boy in relation to the collision that occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of the Linc near the Upper Gage Avenue overpass.
Vincenzino Stumpo, 18, of Hamilton was charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm and dangerous operation causing death.
Witnesses reported that two or three vehicles were racing eastbound on the parkway when two of the vehicles collided and lost control.
One vehicle was able to regain control. However, a Toyota SUV left the roadway and rolled over several times, ejecting at least one of the occupants from the vehicle. Three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
One of the injured, a 15-year-old Hamilton boy, died in hospital.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help his family cover funeral costs. The fundraiser identifies the victim as Jayden Ezra Durant Russell.
CHCH has confirmed that Jayden Ezra Durant Russell was a student of St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School at 200 Acadia Drive.
HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTION
On Thanksgiving Monday, investigators revealed that a black Ford Focus and Silver Infinity were chasing a Toyota Rav 4 in the parking lot at St. Jean de Brébeuf moments before the fatal collision.
According to police, the crash is believed to be connected to “a series of escalating incidents between St. Jean de Brébeuf and Nora Frances Henderson students.”
The police have reported that they are “working with both school communities to ensure the safety of staff and students.”
Officers 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.”
A bail hearing for Vincenzino Stumpo is also scheduled for Tuesday.
Investigators continue to search for the Silver Infiniti believed to be involved in the fatal collision. Hamilton police say the driver is “encouraged to turn himself in and speak to detectives.”
Police are asking for witnesses or those with dashcam footage from the area at the time of the crash to contact 905-546-4753 or email reconunit@hamiltonpolice.ca.
The death was Hamilton’s 10th fatality from a vehicular collision this year.
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