Family identifies teen killed in hit-and-run near Lockport

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This article was published 12/08/2018 (2364 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The family of a 15-year-old boy killed by an alleged impaired driver behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle near Lockport has identified him as Ben Harris.

“Ben was a beautiful, responsible, generous and wise person who was loved by all,” his older sister Stephanie posted on Facebook.

A 29-year old man from Calgary faced 14 separate charges in the hit-and-run.

RCMP issued a statement Sunday with the extensive list of charges, including impaired driving, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. RCMP identified the suspect Sunday as Justin Joseph Little.

Harris was pronounced deceased at the scene. His companion was another 15-year-old and he was listed in stable condition in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Little, allegedly fleeing Winnipeg in a stolen truck while high on drugs, was accused of hitting the two around 11:30 p.m. while they were riding their bikes on the side of a road just off Highway 9 in the RM of St. Andrews Friday night.

After the two boys were thrown into the ditch, the driver fled from the damaged truck on foot.

Local residents told the Free Press on the weekend they were shocked by the violence of the event despite the fact that stretch of highway has seen a lot of collisions.

St. Andrews Mayor Andrew Pike said Sunday he’s held informal meetings since then with people anxious to convey support to the boys’ families and to rally the community around them.

He said he believed the RCMP were still in the process of notifying the family members and once that was completed, the community would move forward with plans.