Search for answers after man seriously hurt in hit-and-run outside Fergus festival

The family of a man who was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a driver is speaking out. CTV’s Hannah Schmidt reports.

The family of a man who suffered life-threatening injuries in a hit-and-run outside a musical festival in Fergus is pleading for information.

Emergency crews were called to Belsyde Avenue East near Orangeville Road around 11 p.m. Saturday. Police said a dark-coloured pickup truck was being driven eastbound when the driver hit a pedestrian who was walking near the roadway. The driver did not stop.

The victim, identified by family as 26-year-old Irving Singh, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

His older brother, Manuel Singh, said Irving had gone to the Arkells concert at the Meadows Music Festival with some friends that night.

“He had decided to leave just slightly early, right before the concert ended,” Manuel explained. “[Irving] was walking eastbound on Wellington County 18. His car was parked at one of his friend’s residences. He was just making his way there when he unexpectedly got hit.”

Irving’s family got a call later that night.

“The next time I heard about anything relating to him was on that Saturday night when I got that call that he was at the hospital,” he said.

Irvin’s injuries are extensive.

“Injuries from head to toe. From skull fractures to breaking his arm. He can’t walk,” Manuel said.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Manuel said doctors are increasingly optimistic about his recovery.

“He’s no longer in a critical state. He’s more stable,” Manuel said. “Every hour matters. Every CT scan. Everything that they’re doing at the hospital counts. We’re just taking it day-by-day at this point.”

“This person needs to absolutely be held accountable”

Manuel described his brother as someone who routinely puts others before himself.

“The first thing he told me when he regained consciousness was - he was just asking me how I was doing, if I was okay,” Manuel said. “I’m glad that he remembers who I am, at least. But, it’s just a lot.”

Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police Const. Matthew Burton said investigators are looking for more information.

“We’re appealing to the public that if anyone has any CCTV footage, any eyewitness accounts, please give us a call,” Burton said. “Anything involving suspect vehicle, any plates, any little detail will help to allow us to piece together what occurred and be able to find the suspect responsible.”

Police are asking residents and businesses to review footage captured between 10:45 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Investigators are specifically looking for a dark-coloured pickup truck that may have significant damage to the front passenger-side or mirror.

“This is a very tough moment with a very young individual getting struck by this truck,” Burton said. “The suspect continued on without any effort to render assistance or any accountability.”

While the family remains focused on Irving’s recovery, Manuel said they hope the public can help identify the driver.

“This person needs to absolutely be held accountable for what they’ve done. It could have been anybody. It happened to be my brother,” he said.

Manuel also thanked the community for helping his brother when he needed it most.

“I just wanted to thank the actual the community of Fergus, they’ve really gone out of their way, and we can see that. The person that called 911 - thank you so much for making that call and the people that jumped into the ditch to help him up, perform CPR and wait for the paramedics to get there.”

Anyone with information, dash camera footage or surveillance video is asked to contact Wellington County OPP.