Homicide unit take over as hit and run victim dies

A hit and run victim who was struck by a truck in Hamilton this summer died over the weekend.

Police say the death ofMichael Sullivan, 51, has become the city's 10th homicide of the year, with investigators still searching for the truck and driver involved in the hit and run.

Sullivandied at Hamilton General Hospital on Saturday. Last week Michael's family made the tough decision to discontinue life support and on Saturday Michael succumbed to his injuries, Hamilton police said in a statement.

Sullivan was on his bike in the area of Barton Street East and Lottridge Street on July 29 around 2:30 p.m.

While in the vicinity he had a brief interaction with some individuals and continued about his business, according to a police statement. This interaction led to some misinformation being passed to the driver of a black, Ford F150 pick-up truck. Det. Peter Thom would not specify what that "misinformation" was.

"I can't get into that, it's going to be part of the case," Thom told CBC Hamilton. "I can say the victim was totally innocent."

Police say the driver of the truck chased Sullivan through city streets and then around 2:55 p.m., pursued him into the rear lot at 927 Barton Street East. The truck hit Sullivan and he flew off the bike, police say. He sustained a life-threatening head injury.

The driver of the truck sped off and was last seen travelling eastbound on Barton Street.

The case has now been turned over to the police homicide unit.

Police and Sullivans family are appealing to anyone who has information connected to the incident to call police at 905-546-2920 or crime stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.