Northern Ontario Hunt: Driver Hits Child at School Bus Stop, Flees Horrific Scene

A chilling incident unfolded Thursday morning in Northern Ontario, leaving an 11-year-old child injured and a community shaken. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently engaged in an urgent manhunt for a driver who not only failed to stop for a school bus with its lights flashing but also struck a child and then callously fled the scene.

The alarming event took place at approximately 7:50 a.m. on Highway 11/17 at Ouimet Canyon Road, in the Dorion area, just east of Thunder Bay.

According to initial reports, the grey sedan was traveling westbound when it encountered a stopped school bus, its red lights flashing and stop arm extended – a universal signal for all traffic to halt.

Disregarding this critical safety measure, the driver proceeded past the bus, tragically striking an 11-year-old child who was either boarding or disembarking. Thankfully, the child's injuries have been reported as non-life-threatening, a small relief in an otherwise horrifying scenario.

What followed was an act that has galvanized local law enforcement: the driver, instead of stopping to render aid or assess the situation, sped away from the site of the collision.

The vehicle is described as a grey sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry, and may have sustained damage to its passenger-side mirror during the impact, offering a crucial detail for identification. The OPP’s Thunder Bay detachment is spearheading the investigation, actively canvassing the area and appealing directly to the public for assistance.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of school bus safety.

Drivers are legally mandated to stop for school buses when their red lights are flashing and the stop arm is deployed, regardless of the direction of travel, to ensure the safety of children. Violations of this law carry severe penalties, but the potential human cost, as tragically demonstrated here, is immeasurable.

Police are urging anyone who was in the vicinity of Highway 11/17 and Ouimet Canyon Road on Thursday morning, or who may have dashcam footage or information related to a grey sedan matching the description, to come forward immediately.

Even the smallest detail could prove pivotal in bringing the perpetrator to justice. Tips can be provided to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. This community stands united in demanding accountability for such a reckless act, ensuring the safety of its youngest members remains an absolute priority.