8-year-old Girl Dies in Hit and Run in Burlington, 21-year-old Driver Charged

A hit-and-run outside a school in Burlington on Wednesday evening has led to the death of an 8-year-old girl. The 21-year-old driver of the vehicle has been arrested and charged with failure to remain at the scene. Grief counselors have been deployed to help the school community.

The incident took place last evening when a local resident stopped in the driveway to drop off their 8-year-old child for a school theatre event. According to the police, as the child went towards the entrance doors, a white SUV exiting the lot hit her. “The SUV exited the lot without stopping, and turned westbound on Baldwin Street,” the police shared.

The girl was reportedly conscious and breathing at the time of the incident when police and paramedics arrived. She was rushed to McMaster Children’s Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Witnesses at the scene were able to grab the license plate of the SUV which allowed the police to arrest the 21-year-old driver whose name has not been revealed yet. He has been charged with failure to remain at the scene and at this point, it is unclear if he was speeding or under the influence. An investigation into the matter is underway.

A makeshift memorial for the little girl has been set up outside Central Public School and officials shared that grief counselors would be on-hand for the school community.

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward also released a statement and said, “I am absolutely heart-broken and devastated, and on behalf of my Council colleagues and the City of Burlington, we are sending our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, loved ones and everyone impacted by this tragedy. We are a community in mourning. We stand together and our thoughts are with the family, the community, the school board, and the first responders who answered the call last night.”

Anyone with information has been requested to step forward and contact the police.

Vineet Washington