The quiet Mississauga night of November 14th shattered just after 9 p.m. when a Mini Cooper struck and killed a pedestrian at the intersection of Eglinton Ave. W. and Fallingbrook Dr., instantly altering the course of a family’s life.
Instead of stopping to help, the driver fled the scene, leaving a man to die alone. Investigators quickly discovered a chilling detail: security footage revealed a suspect deliberately removing the vehicle’s rear license plate and hiding it in the trunk – a desperate attempt to vanish without a trace.
Days later, Peel Regional Police located the vehicle and made an arrest. Romany Elhariry, 46, now faces a charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, with a court date set for December 22nd.
The victim has been identified as Santosh Kumar Patra, a 56-year-old Mississauga resident. His family, reeling from the sudden loss, requested his name be released to the public.
A GoFundMe campaign launched by the family paints a portrait of a deeply loved man. They describe the collision as “devastating,” struggling to comprehend the shock of losing him so abruptly.
Santosh was remembered as a remarkably kind and approachable individual, always ready with a story or a friendly conversation, even with strangers. He was the emotional and financial cornerstone of his family, a loss that has created both a heartbreaking void and a significant financial burden.
The outpouring of support for the Patra family has been remarkable, with the fundraiser quickly exceeding $15,000. These funds will help cover the unexpected costs of a funeral, lost income, and mounting bills.
Deputy Chief Marc Andrews emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that an innocent life was taken by reckless actions and that the responsible individual will be held accountable. He also highlighted the crucial role played by the public in providing information that led to the suspect’s identification.
Police continue to appeal to the public for any additional information regarding the incident. Anyone with details is urged to contact the Major Collision Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 3710 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
