Suspect in hit-and-run crash that killed Mexican farm worker turns himself in: police

A 21-year-old man has turned himself in, police say, followinga hit-and-run crash that killed a mother of two from Mexico.

Niagara police say the Pelham man is charged with dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The pickuptruck believed to have been involved in the collision has also been recovered, according to investigators.

"At the request of her family, the victim's name is not being released, however, detectives are able to confirm she was a Mexican national living the Niagara Region and employed at a local farm," stated police in a media release.

People who knew and worked with the woman told CBC News her first name wasZenaida.

She hadworked at Tregunno FruitFarms for the past two seasons to"put bread on the table for her daughters and to help her parents financially," saidWilfred Bout, a pastoral worker who has been active in the migrant community for years and started a GoFundMe campaign for her family.

Zenaida's two young daughters, ages seven and eleven, are now without a mother, he added.

The fundraiser for her family willcover transportation and funeral costs, said Bout.It will also help Zenaida's grandparents raise the two girls and cover some of their education. The campaign has raised more than $25,000, so far.

'So tragic and such a waste'

Phil Tregunno,one of the owners of the farm where Zenaidaworked, described her asvery personable, eager and likeable.

On Wednesday, the farmer encouraged whoever hit her to turn themselves in, describing a hit-and-run as a "pretty low thing."

He added Zenaida's deathhit the migrant worker community in the area hard because a sudden tragedylike this makes them think about what would happen to their loved ones if they were to suddenly be killed in Canada.

"Everybody is up here trying to help their families back home," said the farmer. "It's just so tragic and such a waste."

Police say the woman washit by a pickup truck near the corner of Concession 7 and Line 6 Roads just before 11 p.m. on August 17.

Investigators say the 33-year-old suffered critical injuries and later died in hospital.

The truckdid not stop, say police. It was last seen heading south downConcession 7 Road.

Police say the Pelhammanis currently in custody and is scheduled to appearin a St. Catharines courtroom for a bail hearing on Aug.22.