Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to the Collision Reconstruction Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fail-to-remain motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, Detectives arrested Michael GOSPODAREK (74 years) of St. Catharines.
As a result of the investigation, GOSPODAREK has been charged with the following criminal offence in connection with the collision:
Fail to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Cause Bodily Harm
GOSPODAREK has also been charged in relation to a separate incident with the following criminal offences:
Impaired Operation of a Conveyance by Alcohol Impaired Operation of a Conveyance Blood Alcohol Exceed Legal Limit
GOSPODAREK is being held in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
In addition to being charged, GOSPODAREK is bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway.
The victim remains in serious but stable condition at an out-of-region hospital, where they continue to receive treatment for their injuries.
Detectives would like to thank members of the community for their assistance in this matter.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009367.
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 people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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Original Release – Sunday, April 6, 2025
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at approximately 8:00 a.m., 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded alongside the St. Catharines Fire Department and Niagara Emergency Medical Service (NEMS) for a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, at the intersection of Carlton Street and Grantham Avenue in the City of St. Catharines.
The initial investigation determined that the pedestrian was walking northbound on the west side of Grantham Avenue, utilizing the crosswalk at the intersection of Carlton Street, when they were struck by a vehicle. The driver failed to remain at the scene or identify themselves. The vehicle was last observed traveling westbound on Carlton Street before turning southbound onto Stoyanoff Drive in the City of St. Catharines.
The suspect vehicle is described as follows:
Newer model Buick SUV Possibly dark purple or brown in colour
The suspect driver is described as follows:
White male Approximately 65 years old Glasses and a baseball cap
The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was transported to an out-of-region hospital for further medical treatment.
Detectives assigned to the NRPS Collision Reconstruction Unit have assumed carriage of the investigation. They are being supported by detectives from the NRPS Forensic Services Unit. The collision remains under investigation.
Witnesses to the collision, motorists who were in the area with operational dash-cameras, or residents in the area with operational video surveillance are encouraged to review their footage and contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, badge 1009367 with any relevant information.
Members of the community 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 people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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