A 74-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident that left a pedestrian seriously injured in St. Catharines this past weekend. This alarming event unfolded on Sunday morning at the bustling intersection of Grantham Avenue and Carlton Street.

According to the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), emergency responders, including the St. Catharines Fire Department and Niagara Emergency Medical Services, were alerted around 8 a.m. Witnesses reported that a pedestrian, who was in the crosswalk walking north on Grantham Avenue, was struck by a vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

As of Monday, the victim is reported to be in serious but stable condition at a hospital outside the region, where they are receiving ongoing treatment for their injuries.

The driver, later identified as Michael Gospodarek, reportedly fled the scene heading west on Carlton Street before turning south onto Stoyanoff Drive in a newer-model Buick SUV, which may have been dark purple or brown.

Following a swift investigation by NRPS, Gospodarek was arrested on Monday and charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm. Additionally, he faces serious charges related to impaired driving from an earlier incident, which include impaired operation of a conveyance by alcohol and exceeding the blood alcohol limit.

As a result of these charges, Gospodarek's driver's license has been suspended for a startling 90 days, and he is now prohibited from operating any motor vehicle on public roads. He is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 8.

Police are urging the community for any further information related to this disturbing incident. If you have any information, please contact the investigating detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, badge number 1009367, or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously.

This investigation remains ongoing, making it crucial for anyone who witnessed the events or noticed the suspect vehicle to come forward. The dangers of impaired driving have garnered attention once again, highlighting a need for heightened awareness and community responsibility on the roads.