Update 1 – Arrest Made - Collision Reconstruction Unit Now Investigating Collision from March 1, 2026

Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) have made an arrest in a collision investigation that started March 1, 2026, on Victoria Avenue near Wiley Road in the town of Pelham. 

The collision took place in the northbound lane of Victoria Avenue where a northbound vehicle rearended another northbound vehicle.  The collision forced the struck vehicle off the roadway and into a ditch.  The driver of the struck vehicle was transported to an out-of-region hospital for treatment, however died as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision.  The at fault driver had been charged at the scene at the time of the incident under the Highway Traffic Act.

On April 9, 2026, CRU detectives arrested and charged the at fault driver under the criminal code.  21-year-old Mitchell TINNEY of Wainfleet has been charged with one count of Dangerous Operation Causing Death.

TINNEY was held in custody for a bail hearing which took place in the afternoon of April 9, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

CRU detectives would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Collision Reconstruction Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009504.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incident 26-24925

Original - Media Release - Collision Reconstruction Unit Now Investigating Collision from March 1, 2026

Pelham - The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) has taken over an investigation into a motor vehicle collision which occurred March 1, 2026, on Victoria Avenue in Pelham.

At approximately 4:20 AM on March 1, 2026, police were called to Victoria Avenue between Wiley Road and Foss Road, for a report of a two-vehicle collision.  A 2019 Lincoln MKX travelling northbound rear ended a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, which was also traveling northbound.  The Equinox was forced off the roadway into the west side ditch.

The driver of the Equinox, a 71-year-old Burlington man, was transported to an out-of-region hospital for treatment of injuries.  Those injuries were considered non-life threatening at the time of the incident.  On March 3, 2026, sadly, the driver of the Equinox died as due to the injuries sustained in the collision.

The driver of the Lincoln, a 21-year-old Wainfleet man, was charged under the Highway Traffic Act, at the scene, at the time of the collision.  He sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene.

There were no other occupants in either vehicle.

The CRU is on the scene where the collision took place and have closed the road for their investigation.  The road is anticipated to be closed for over 3 hours.

Detectives with the CRU are asking for members of the public who may have witnessed this collision, or for anyone who may dash cam or other video footage, to contact them at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009504.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incident 26-24925