Editor’s note: Police charged a Toronto resident with failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing death on April 28, 2016. A second person of interest previously named in this story was never charged. Their name has been removed. Police have found the Mercedes-Benz believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run in Toronto’s west end. Nelisa Damota, 39, was struck as she jaywalked across Bloor Street, near Dovercourt Road, at approximately 9 p.m. on Sunday. According to police, the mother of three was thrown onto the road and a second vehicle -- an oncoming taxi -- hit her again. The taxi stayed at scene, however, the first car did not. Witnesses say the first car was a white, four-door Mercedes-Benz S Class, manufactured between 1986 and 1991. Police said it likely sustained front-end damage and possibly a damaged headlight. Police located the Mercedes overnight, in the area of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Brown’s Line, at the home of the vehicle’s registered owner after the man’s lawyer contacted police. It’s not yet clear who was driving on the night of the fatal hit-and-run. Police said the car is a 1991 Mercedes 420 SEL. Investigators have since towed away the vehicle, and a forensics’ team is scouring the car, searching for clues. One neighbour said the Mercedes sustained damage on the passenger side. “It didn’t look too bad but it did look there was some damage to the front left light,” he said. Another neighbour said he noticed some damage near the top of the vehicle. “I think it was only the left-hand side,” he said. “And possibly on the top – a little bent on the top flat part.” Police said the driver may not have been charged if he or she had remained on scene, since Damota was jaywalking. However, since the driver fled, police say he or she will likely be looking at criminal charges for failing to remain at the scene and failure to render assistance. With a report from CTV Toronto’s Janice Golding
