An 87-year-old man was identified by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) in connection with a motorist who had hit a stroller in which there was a baby, before fleeing.
Montreal police had asked for the public’s help in locating the person behind the wheel who had committed the hit-and-run.
The accident occurred on November 16 at the intersection of Bloomfield and Lajoie avenues, in the Outremont borough.
The one-year-old baby was hospitalized, but he was not injured.
Jewish organizations in Montreal feared it was a hate crime since the lady walking with the stroller is from the Hasidic community.
The SPVM confirmed Tuesday that it was not a hate crime targeting members of the Jewish community.
The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Federation CJA (FCJA) said they were “relieved” to learn that the hit and run was not an expression of hatred or anti-Semitism. This hypothesis had circulated on social media.
“The SPVM investigation was thorough because it had to be. The FCJA Director of Community Safety worked directly with the SPVM to ensure the safety of the Jewish community and reinforce the need to clearly determine whether this incident was a targeted attack,” reads a joint CIJA written statement. and FCJA.
The 87-year-old man was met by SPVM investigators. Steps have been taken with the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec to withdraw the octogenarian’s driver’s license. The person seemed reckless at the wheel, justifies the SPVM.
A file has been submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions who will determine whether charges will be brought against the man.
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