Ottawa driver charged after 5 cyclists hurt

A man has been charged after five cyclists were injured in a hit-and-run collision on Sunday morning in Ottawa's west end.

The collisionhappened near the intersection of March Road and Solandt Road in Kanata shortly before 8 a.m.

Ottawapolice Const.Wallie McIlquhamsaid the five cyclists three men and two women, ranging in age from 27 to 45 were riding in the bike lane when a man driving his wife's beige minivan allegedly crashed into them.

"He angled into the lane, brushed up against the female cyclist, hit the other four who are the ones who are in bad shape and then carried on out," he said.

A few hours later, he said, the driver turned himself in to police.

Sommit Luangpakham, 45, has been charged withfive counts of failing to stop at the scene of a collision causing bodily harm.

The cyclists were taken tothe Ottawa Hospital, whereat least two have life-threatening injuries, police said.

Paul Chehowski, whowas staying at a nearby hotel, came down to survey the scene.

"It's just pretty sad. A bunch of lives have probably been destroyed by this," he said.

"I mean, what can you say? It just brings tears to your eyes."

Don Crooks, who also stopped to see what had happened, said he has cycled along that road many times.

"I don't know what to say. It's just shocking," he said.

Luangpakham was set to appear in court Monday morning.