A 46-year-old man from Mississauga has been taken into custody in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred in Peel Region last week. The incident resulted in the tragic death of 56-year-old Santosh Kumar Patra on November 14, 2023. According to police reports, Patra was struck at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Fallingbrook Drive shortly after 9 p.m.
The investigation indicated that the driver of a silver or grey Mini Cooper, manufactured between 2014 and 2018, fled the scene immediately after the accident. Peel police noted that the driver was last observed traveling westbound on Eglinton Avenue.
Surveillance footage collected by investigators captured critical moments after the crash. The footage shows the driver taking off the rear licence plate and placing it in the trunk of the vehicle before fleeing the scene once again. Thanks to tips and video evidence provided by the public, police were eventually able to identify and apprehend the suspect.
On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, police arrested Romany Elhariry and charged him with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death. He is slated to appear in court in December to address the allegations against him.
Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews emphasized the importance of community collaboration in solving this case, stating, “An innocent member of our community lost their life due to the reckless actions of an individual – who we will hold fully accountable." He extended gratitude to those who provided information and commended the efforts of the investigators involved.
In addition to the arrest, the aftermath of the tragedy has led to an outpouring of support for the victim’s family. A GoFundMe page created by Patra’s family aims to honor his memory. The family describes Santosh as a kind individual who often engaged in conversations with strangers. They voiced their shock at his sudden loss and the grief that has enveloped them. Akansha Patra shared her thoughts, expressing that the family is struggling to process “this heavy loss,” as he was a vital source of both financial and emotional support.
As of Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $13,000, which will help cover funeral expenses and other related costs. The family’s immense sorrow has been further compounded by the financial strain brought about by this unexpected tragedy.
