Hamilton police searching for driver in hit-and-run that seriously hurt two officers
Hamilton police continue to search for a 19-year-old woman who allegedly rammed into a cruiser and then seriously hurt two officers in a hit-and-run hours later on New Year's Eve.
Hannah Pietrantuono is wanted for two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, failure to stop after an accident causing bodily harm, two counts of fail to comply with probation, impaired driving, dangerous driving, flight from peace officer, failure to stop after an accident and resist arrest.
Police are encouraging Pietrantuono to seek legal counsel and turn herself in to police. They also warn that anyone helping the 19-year-old could face criminal charges.
Since police released Pietrantuono's picture Tuesday afternoon, detectives have received a lot of helpful tips, said police spokesperson Const. Indy Bharaj. Detectives continue to search for Pietrantuono.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Dec. 31, police were called by someone reporting a driver asleep at the wheel with a bong on her lap at Fennell Avenue East and Hoover Crescent. When officers arrived, they pinned her car, a red 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. However, during the manoeuvre, the driver awoke and allegedly rammed into one of the police vehicles, causing extensive damage, before managing to flee.
Just after 2:30 p.m., police tweeted a photo of the cruiser with its side caved in and asked the public to call 911 if the vehicle was spotted.
Police allege the same woman was behind the wheel of the SUV - a rental - at a RIDE lane on the Claremont Access shortly before 11 p.m.
The way the RIDE lane is set up, drivers cannot see it until they have entered the escarpment access. There is nowhere to turn around and drivers are funneled into one lane. Officers were standing on the left side, so they could speak with drivers as they pulled up to check for impaired drivers.
At around 10:55 p.m., that same rental SUV pulled into the RIDE lane and suddenly pulled to the left, speeding away, and hitting two officers who had been standing at the checkpoint.
The two officers hit were knocked unconscious on the road and seriously hurt. Both have undergone surgery and are expected to face a long road to recovery.
Other police at the scene and witnesses rushed to help the injured officers.
The rental SUV was found abandoned about a block away from the top of the Claremont Access at Inverness Avenue and Belair Drive. Police allege the driver then fled on foot.
Pietrantuono is described as a white female, five-foot-nine, 143 pounds, with brown hair.
Since her image was released, there has been a flood of comments on social media, including community and police leaders condemning the acts and offering well wishes to the recovering officers. There have also been posts on Pietrantuono's accounts where many have called for harsher charges.
It is unclear to the public whether the driver targeted police or was reckless in fleeing. Police say they have not ruled anything out and it's possible charges could be upgraded if there is evidence.
Detectives have recovered surveillance video from the area where the driver fled. Any witnesses or anyone with information who has not yet spoken with investigators is asked to call 905-546-4925.
If Pietrantuono is spotted, police ask the public to call 911. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.
Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com