Police seize pickup truck linked to hit-and-run that killed teenage boy

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Investigators have seized a pickup truck they believe is linked to a hit-and-run crash that killed a 14-year-old boy in rural Southwestern Ontario, police say. But in an usual twist, the Ontario Provincial Police said that while the driver had been "positively identified," they had not yet been located as of Sunday afternoon. Article content

"I'd personally like to thank each and every one of you who has provided valuable information thus far," Norfolk OPP Const. Andrew Gamble said in a video posted to social media, "whether that be directly or anonymously. "The collaborative effort between the OPP and the public is absolutely crucial to bringing this investigation to a resolution."

Article content Police say it was shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Dec.

6, last Wednesday, when Dominik Short-Empey, 14, was struck by a pickup truck while walking along Fariground Road in Cultus, a small community about 20 kilometres west of Port Rowan. The driver left the scene, police said.

Short-Empey, a Grade 10 student at Valley Heights secondary school, died in hospital. "He was highly skilled in hands-on technology courses and a valued member of his school community," officials with the Grand Erie school board said in a statement. "He will be greatly missed by the staff and students at Valley Heights, and especially by those who were fortunate enough to be his friends." Visitation is set for Tuesday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Maurice J.

Verhoeve Funeral Homes Chapel in Langton. His funeral is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday.

In a Friday interview [1], a relative urged the driver to contact police.

"He was a wonderful, fun-loving kid," Laurie Markham, the boy's step-grandmother, said. "We want this individual to turn themselves in."

Police have asked anyone who was travelling on Fairground Road between the 5th and 6th Concession from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec.

6 to contact them if they have dashboard-camera footage or witnessed anything unusual.

Anyone with relevant information can call police at 1-888-310-1122 and anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.helpsolvecrime.com.[2]

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References

^ In a Friday interview (lfpress.com)
^ www.helpsolvecrime.com. (www.helpsolvecrime.com)
^ £350K theft: 'Who goes into a farmer's field and steals a tractor?' (lfpress.com)
^ Police Report: OPP take part in 'contentious eviction'; stolen goods seized (lfpress.com)