North Bay police hunt driver in school zone near-miss

North Bay police seek a grey Volkswagen Jetta after its driver sped through a school parking lot, nearly hitting three students. The vehicle fled the scene.

The North Bay Police Service is asking for the public’s help to identify the driver of a grey Volkswagen Jetta that allegedly sped through a high school parking lot and nearly struck three students last week.

The incident occurred on Halloween morning at about 10 a.m. in the back parking lot of St. Joseph’s Scollard Hall. Police said the vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed before turning left onto McLeod Street, where it narrowly missed the students and a pole before fleeing the scene.

Police released a brief video of the incident.

‘Unacceptable and criminal’ driving behaviour

North Bay police inspector Scott McFarlane condemned the driver’s actions.

“Driving behaviours demonstrated in this video are unacceptable, and quite frankly criminal in nature,” said McFarlane, in a news release Monday.

“We are grateful the students are in good health, but this incident could have been catastrophic.”

McFarlane said that the police service is fully committed to the investigation.

“Our members are fully committed to this investigation and will work to find this suspect and bring them to justice,” he said.

McFarlane also used the incident to remind the public of the importance of road safety in school areas.

“Incidents like this highlight the importance of community safety zones in protecting our children while they are at school,” he said.

“We continue to urge drivers to exercise extreme caution in these areas, pedestrians to always stay alert and to report unsafe behaviour.”

Appeal to the public

North Bay police are asking anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact them directly at 705-472-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Investigators are also requesting that residents and business owners in the area review any dash cam or CCTV footage from around the time of the incident to review their recordings and come forward if relevant footage is found.

“Your assistance can make a meaningful difference in this investigation,” said police.