By Haldimand Press Staff
HAGERSVILLE—A 23-year-old man of Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation was killed Friday, April 23, 2021 during a hit-and-run collision on King Street West in Hagersville.
OPP, Haldimand County Fire Services, and Haldimand County paramedics responded to King Street West for a three-vehicle collision on April 23 at 9:05 p.m. A witness reported that a pickup, an SUV, and a motorcycle were involved in the collision. It was further reported that the SUV had fled.
The 23-year-old male rider of the motorcycle suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A press release from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief R. Stacey LaForme identified the victim as Alexander Dalton, son of Andrea King and Wayne Dalton.
A photo of Alex Dalton, taken from his Facebook account.
OPP investigation, thus far, has determined the motorcyclist was travelling westbound on King Street West near Sarah Street when it was struck from behind by a 2001 blue Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, also travelling westbound, causing the motorcyclist to be ejected and then struck by an eastbound pickup truck.
The SUV fled the scene, continuing west down King Street West and then turning north onto Ojibway Road. The witness further reported that the SUV drove into a ditch on Ojibway Road, where two occupants then fled the SUV on foot into the bush area.
LaForme’s release said the entire Credit First Nation Council is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of one of their members in a collision near his family home. He continued, “Please join us in extending our love, prayers, and condolences to the family. We are thinking of you and send our strength during this difficult time.”
The release was posted on Facebook, where it received over 200 responses expressing condolences for the family.
A woman by the name of Maandii ML, who said Dalton was friends with her son, posted to Facebook on April 25 asking for those with information to step forward. She added, “Alex was an AMAZING kid…. He was kind, compassionate, and funny; adventurous, an outdoors man, a proud Mississaugas of the Credit member, a ladies man without even trying. Alex ALWAYS took care of ‘his boys’ whether they need support, a hand fixing or figuring something out, or to just kick back and have laughs and beers with.”
Hayden Atkins, who identified himself as Dalton’s best friend, started a GoFundMe to get complete Dalton’s dream of getting his old truck in running order again. The fundraiser gathered about $18,000 in just 20 hours.
“I would love (to make) this dream a reality in memory of Alex and for his family,” said Atkins. “He will be smilling ear to ear when this truck build finally gets done.”
OPP have recovered the SUV that struck Dalton and members of the Forensic Identification Services unit will conduct an analysis of it. Members of the OPP Canine Unit, Emergency Response Team, Remote Piloted Aircraft System, and the OPP helicopter attended and conducted a search of the area but did not find the occupants. OPP Technical Collision Investigators attended the scene and are assisting with the investigation.
King Street West was closed between Concession 13 Walpole and John Street for approximately six hours while emergency crews and investigators were on scene.
OPP continue to investigate and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision, who may have any video surveillance of the area, or who may have any information to assist with the investigation to contact them at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 at helpsolvecrime.com.
