On September 23, 2023, at 4:43am 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to an assist ambulance call in the City of St. Catharines.
Officers arrived at the scene on Eastchester Avenue near Lorne Street. Personnel from Niagara Emergency Medical Services and St. Catharines Fire Services were tending to a lone male patient. The 58-year-old patient was determined to be the driver/operator of a grey 2016 Toyota Corolla taxi parked nearby. The patient had sustained a critical injury. The patient was transported to a local hospital and then to an out of region hospital for further care.
The initial investigation determined that a member of the public had been driving in the area when they passed the stopped taxi, the driver was found lying unconscious on the roadway.
Uniform officers and a NRPS K9 Unit searched the area but did not find a suspect.
The taxi has been towed from the scene by Forensic Service Unit detectives for further examination.
This is an active and ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances around this incident. The incident has been assigned to the Homicide Unit. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009124.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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Anyone (residents or businesses) in the area with closed circuit security cameras, doorbell video cameras, or dash cameras are asked to review their footage for suspicious activity for the period between 3:00am and 5:00am on September 23, 2023.
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