Hit-and-run suspect located, arrested

Police have arrested a male suspect connected to a Monday afternoon hit-and-run that left one pedestrian dead and other seriously injured.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Primary Response Branch were dispatched to the Simpson Street and Northern Avenue area just before 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 3 following reports of a motor vehicle collision.

Firefighters with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and paramedics with the Superior North EMS were also dispatched to the scene.

Police learned a motor vehicle was travelling northbound on Simpson Street when it left the roadway and struck two pedestrians. The accused remained that the scene for a short time before fleeing on foot.
The pedestrians were transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for further evaluation and treatment of their injuries.

A 42-year-old Thunder Bay man died from injuries sustained during the collision. A 38-year-old Thunder Bay woman remains at the hospital in critical condition. The exact extent of her injuries is unknown at this time, but believed to be serious.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Traffic Unit became involved in the continued investigation.

As a result of that investigation, video was obtained showing a male suspect leaving the scene of the collision. A short video clip was distributed to the public and media in hopes the male could be identified and located.

As a result of information provided by the public, and continued investigative efforts by members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Traffic Unit, Community Inclusion Team, Primary Response Branch, and Break and Enter and Robbery (BEAR) Unit, the suspect was positively identified.

BEAR Unit officers located and arrested the accused without incident in the late afternoon hours of Tuesday, July 4. He was taken into custody and transported to the TBPS headquarters at 1200 Balmoral Street.

Jonathan Joseph Peter PAYPOMPEE, 39, of Big Grassy First Nation, is charged with:

• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Death
• Fail to Stop at Accident Resulting in Death
• Fail to Stop at Accident Resulting in Bodily Harm
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm
• Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Prohibited

He appeared in bail court on Wednesday, July 5 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.