Police issue warrant for suspect in New Year’s Eve hit-and-runs that injured two officers

Hamilton police have issued an arrest warrant for a 19-year-old driver suspected of ramming a cruiser - and seriously injuring two officers - in a pair of hit-and-runs hours apart last Friday.

Police said in a release Tuesday that the first incident on New Year's Eve occurred in the area of Fennell Avenue East and Hoover Crescent, where officers approached a driver who was unconscious at the wheel.

The driver, in a red 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, fled from the scene and rammed a cruiser as officers attempted to make an arrest. They were last seen driving south on Upper James Street.

Hours later, at around 10:55 p.m., police say the same SUV suddenly pulled out of a RIDE check lane on the Claremont Access, drove through a checkpoint and struck two officers.

Both officers were knocked unconscious and remain in hospital recovering from injuries.

The SUV was ditched in the area of Inverness Avenue and Belair Drive and the driver fled on foot.

Police allege Hannah Pietrantuono of Hamilton is behind both hit-and-run incidents.

She faces 10 charges including criminal negligence causing bodily harm, impaired operation of a vehicle, resisting arrest and flight from a peace officer.

Police are asking Pietrantuono - described as white, five-foot-nine and 143 pounds with brown hair - to seek legal counsel and turn herself in. If you see her or have information of her whereabouts, police ask you to call 911.

Anyone with additional information about the hit-and-runs is asked to contact 905-546-4925.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Sebastian Bron is a reporter at The Spectator. sbron@thespec.com