Quebec man charged with failing to remain at scene of accident
Aug 20, 2007 - 01:24 PM
By Jeanne Beneteau
NORTHUMBERLAND - What began as a leisurely family outing turned into a sombre lesson in civic duty for a Cramahe Township family, on Sunday afternoon.
Frank and Karin Becker and their two children, Brendan, 8, and Sylvie, 10, were on their way to Oriole Acres Alpacas, part of the weekend’s Rural Ramble Tour, when they heard about a hit and run that claimed the life of a young Bowmanville man early Sunday morning, on the westbound Hwy. 401, at Newcastle.
Editor's note: Skateboarder Robert Piontek was killed while walking on
Hwy. 401 Sunday near Newcastle. The above video shows off his skills on the
skateboard. This video was on www.youtube.com and was posted earlier
this year.
The radio news report offered a description of the transport truck wanted by police in connection with the incident. Not five minutes later, Mr. Becker spotted a truck that matched the description as the family drove northbound along Grafton’s Lyle Street highway overpass.
“There it was, a white Volvo tractor-trailer pulling a box trailer, stopped with its hood up,” says Ms. Becker. “Our first thought was, ‘That can’t be the truck, could it?’, but just in case it was, we kept on going, not wanting to alert the driver.”
Then the race was on to find a telephone to contact police, since the family left home for the outing minus a cellphone, she explains. When they arrived at the alpaca farm a short time later, Ms. Becker says she raced across the field to the nearest phone and contacted the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The officer that took the call appeared very happy to receive the information, she notes. A short time later, the Beckers heard police located the truck and arrested a 48-year-old truck driver from Quebec in connection with the tragic incident. He was charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
“When we heard about the arrest, we felt happy that we played a part in helping police,” she says.
The incident, while a terrible tragedy, helped show her kids the importance of getting involved and speaking up, rather than turning a blind eye in hopes someone else will pick up the torch, she adds.
On August 19, around 5:45 a.m., OPP officers were sent to the Mill Street exit after someone reported a deer had been run over, stated OPP Constable Dave Woodford. When officers arrived, they found the body of a Robert Piontek, 22, of Bowmanville, who had been walking on the side of the highway. Investigators found tire marks and parts from a Volvo tractor-trailer at the scene and evidence the truck was leaking anti-freeze as a result of the collision.
(With files from Torstar Network)
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