ORIGINAL REPORT
According to police, at approximately 9:30 PM On Thursday May 14th, 2015 Niagara Emergency Medical Services, Niagara Regional Police and West Lincoln Fire Services were dispatched for a fatal motor vehicle collision on Regional Road 65, also known as Silver Street near Port Davidson Road in the Township of West Lincoln, in the Region of Niagara.
Initial investigation revealed that a 55-year-old male resident of Fonthill was driving a 2011 Buick motor vehicle eastbound on Silver Street while a John Deere farm tractor was travelling westbound on Silver Street pulling farm equipment. A portion of the farm equipment collided with the eastbound Buick fatally injuring the driver who was the only occupant of the motor vehicle. The male driver of the John Deere tractor stopped briefly before leaving the scene. A number of mail boxes were struck by this farm equipment. Unaware that a fatal collision occurred, one homeowner stopped the farm tractor and confronted the driver about the damaged mailbox. The tractor was last seen northbound on Smithville Road from Caistor Gainsboro Townline Road. Police believe that residents in the area will know the identity of the driver or the tractor and they are asked to contact police.
***UPDATE #1***
Police say they have located the subject farm tractor at a Smithville farm. The driver of the tractor was arrested and identified as 25 year old Benjamin KLUNDER of Hamilton, Ontario. KLUNDER will be attending St. Catharines bail court on 15 May 2015 to answer to the Criminal Code charges of Criminal Negligence Causing Death and Fail to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death.
This collision remains under investigation by Detectives of the Niagara Regional Police Services Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Forensic Services Unit.
Any witnesses with information regarding this collision are asked to contact investigators at (905) 688-4111, extension 5500.
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