Update: Man charged in Dec. 6 fatal hit and run collision

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Published Dec 11, 2023 o Last updated 2 hours ago o 2 minute read

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A Norfolk County man has been charged in connection with a Dec.

6 fatal hit and run collision that claimed the life of an area teen on Fairground Road in Cultus, west of Port Rowan. Advertisement 2

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Nicholas Burtch, 35, has been charged with failing to stop at an accident causing death. He is being held in custody pending a bail hearing, Norfolk OPP said Monday. Article content

The arrest and charge comes after police executed a search warrant at Norfolk County Road 28 residence in Langton on Sunday. During the search, police discovered and seized a vehicle suspected to be involved in the crash. Dominik Short-Empey, 14, was struck by a pickup truck at about 5:25 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec.

6. He died later in hospital. The OPP told the family Thursday night that investigators were looking for a dark grey Sierra pickup truck made between 2004 and 2014 with front-end damage and a broken head light.

Described as a carefree teen with a heart of gold, Dominik was a well-liked Grade 10 student at Valley Heights Secondary School near Langton and worked at Tim Hortons on Oxford Street in Tillsonburg. Advertisement 3 Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Teachers at Valley Heights describe him as "a quiet, honest young man who always looked out for his friends.

"He was highly skilled in hands-on technology courses and a valued member of his school community," 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." Supports are available for "anyone feeling the impact of this tragic news," the board said. A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family to provide "love and support in this extremely difficult time by helping them ease any financial burdens they may face at this time."

Those who knew Dominik are invited to attend a public visitation on Tuesday between 6 and 8 p.m. in the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes Chapel in Langton. Advertisement 4

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His funeral will be held Wednesday, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Const. Andrew Gamble, of Norfolk OPP thanked the public for contributing valuable information during the investigation on Sunday after a vehicle was seized and again Monday following an arrest.

"It is important to understand that the collaborative effort between the OPP and the public is absolutely crucial to bringing this investigation to a resolution," Gamble said in a social media post Sunday. Anyone with relevant information about the collision is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.helpsolvecrime.com.

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