A Sarnia man is facing multiple criminal charges, including attempted murder, following two related incidents.
The Sarnia Police Service says officers were first called to a disturbance at a home on Afton Drive shortly after midnight Saturday. Police learned that a dispute had taken place between the accused and a 40-year-old man.
Officers allege that during the dispute, the suspect drove his red Mitsubishi SUV onto the victim’s front lawn and intentionally struck the man’s e-bike in an attempt to damage it. Officers say the man then got out of the vehicle, approached the home while holding a metal pipe, and later left the area.
After reviewing the video evidence, the police laid charges related to dangerous operation, mischief, and breaching a release order.
Police attempted to find the accused at the time, but he was not located.
Later that same day, police were called back to the same area after reports that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. When officers arrived, they found an adult male suffering from serious injuries.
According to police, video footage shows a red Mitsubishi SUV reversing aggressively toward the victim, striking him, running him over, stopping, and then moving forward and running over him again before fleeing the scene.
The victim was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care and was later reported to be in stable condition. Police say the full extent of his injuries has yet to be determined.
Sarnia police have arrested 21-year-old Hayden Leitch-Forte.
He's charged with attempted murder, dangerous operation of a conveyance, mischief under $5,000, and failing to comply with a release order.
Leitch-Forte remains in custody following a bail hearing.
The ongoing investigation has been turned over to the Sarnia Police Service's Criminal Investigations Division.
