Charges laid in hit-and-run crash that killed woman

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ST. THOMAS – Police here on Thursday named a 34-year-old woman as the victim of a deadly hit-and-run crash as they detailed newly laid criminal charges in the case.

Carissa George, 34, was struck at about 1:20 a.m. on June 22, last Saturday, in a collision at Sunset Road and Fingal Line – near the city’s western edge. Police previously said the driver involved didn’t remain at the scene and asked for the public’s help tracking down the vehicle involved.

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John Charles Michael McLellan, 35, of Thamesville, is charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing death and two counts of driving while prohibited. He appeared in court Thursday morning, police said.

“This is precisely the type of crime that has no place in our city,” St. Thomas police Chief Marc Roskamp said at an afternoon press conference. “We will extend all resources to ensure (the driver responsible) is held accountable.”

Roskamp’s additional comments suggested George was still alive when police and paramedics arrived at the scene of the collision, saying: “Despite the best efforts of medical staff at the St. Thomas hospital (she) was pronounced dead.”

In the hours after the deadly collision, police made public a short video clip of the suspect’s vehicle and were asking anyone who was in the area around the time of the fatal crash, including anyone with dashboard-camera or surveillance video, to contact them. The short, blurry video prompted a flurry of online speculation from viewers over the type of vehicle shown in it.

Said Roskamp: “Since the moment our police service was contacted last week, our investigative teams have been working tirelessly and have not put this matter down in five days.”

Police are still asking for anyone with video footage to contact them at 519-631-1224.

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