Hamilton man, 20, charged after 2024 fatal car crash linked to tensions between high school students

A Hamilton man has been charged in connection to a crash on the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway last October that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy. 

The 20-year-old man is charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and bodily harm, and criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm, police said in a news release Thursday. 

The crash happened on Oct. 11, 2024, just after 2:30 p.m. on the highway's eastbound lanes near the Upper Gage Avenue overpass. 

A Toyota SUV with four occupants and a Ford car with three occupants were driving at "a high rate of speed" when the Ford collided with the Toyota, police said. The driver of the Toyota lost control, the SUV rolled a few times and a person was ejected.

Three of the occupants were taken to hospital with serious injuries, where one died, police said. 

The driver of the Ford fled the scene. 

"After a lengthy and thorough investigation, the Hamilton Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has arrested the driver of the Ford Focus," said police Thursday. 

Police had initially charged an 18-year-old male with dangerous operation causing bodily harm and death, but the Crown later withdrew charges, said police spokesperson Trevor McKenna.

In the days following the crash, police said they believed the Ford and another car were chasing the Toyota in the parking lot at St. Jean de Brebeuf Secondary School moments before going on the Linc. 

Police said they believed the collision was connected to a "series of escalating incidents" between St. Jean de Brebeuf and Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School students.