Family identifies Mississauga hit-and-run victim, as police continue search for suspect

Family members of a 56-year-old man who was killed in a Nov. 14 hit-and-run collision in Mississauga have identified him as Santosh Kumar Patra, of Mississauga. (GFM photo)

Amidst a scattering of handwritten notes and flowers, four words stand out: “We love you, Dad.”

It’s a heartbreaking message left for a 56-year-old Mississauga man who died following a hit-and-run last Friday night.

The collision happened just after 9 p.m. near Eglinton Avenue West and Fallingbrook Drive, west of Mavis Road. Peel Regional Police say a man was walking in the intersection when he was struck by a motorist who fled the scene.

They said the driver of that vehicle, which they’ve now identified as a silver or grey 2014-2018 four-door Mini Cooper S with a black roof and unique rims, took off without checking on him or rendering assistance.

Witnesses to the crash say the victim was dragged a block before he was left for dead.

“I saw he was right by that pole down there, all the the way,” one young woman named who saw what happened told CTV News Toronto.

“My sister was feeling really bad about it, saying if we’d run outside maybe earlier we could have done something about it, maybe.”

Another person shared that they knew the man, saying that he was a father and a husband.

Family members of the victim have now identified him as Santosh Kumar Patra. They told CTV News Toronto that he lived just a block away from the scene of the collision and was on his way home from work when it happened.

The man’s relatives also say they learned of his death nearly seven hours after he’d been killed.

On a crowdfunding page, Patra’s daughter Akansha describes him as a family-oriented, kind man who loved sharing stories and was known to strike up a conversation with people he didn’t know.

“The grief of losing him in such a manner is shocking, and we are struggling to process this heavy loss,” she wrote.

“He supported our home financially and emotionally, and now losing him suddenly has caused heartbreak and financial strain on top of mourning. His loss leaves a void that can never be filled, but we cherish the beautiful memories he made with us.”

Peel Regional Police, meanwhile, say they have new surveillance video that shows the suspect removing the vehicle’s license plate before fleeing the area.

“(We have video) that shows moments after the crash, that person stopping the vehicle, getting out, and taking his rear plate off, and concealing it in the trunk before fleeing the area,” Const. Manny Khatra said.

People who live near the scene of the collision are wondering what kind of person would strike and kill someone then take off.

“Obviously it’s not right. He knows he’s done something wrong and he’s trying to conceal himself,” said one woman.

“I mean, I would assume there’d be substantial damage to the car and I’d hope whatever garage they send him to they’d report it. He needs to be accountable for what he’s done.”

Police say the suspect vehicle sustained substantial damage to the front passenger side, the hood, and the windshield area, adding it’s now just a matter of time before the suspect is caught and are urging this person to seek legal counsel and turn themself in.

Investigators are also advising any auto repair shops that have any vehicles matching the description to contact the authorities immediately.

This investigation is ongoing and any witnesses or individuals who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident or anyone with further information is asked to contact Peel police’s Major Collision Bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 3710, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.