Seneca student struck on Hwy. 404 was ‘left to die on the road,’ OPP says

Just over a week after the body of Ethann McAulay was found on Highway 404, his family made an emotional plea for the driver of the vehicle that hit the 20-year-old Seneca College student to come forward.

The family, who was at McAulay’s funeral at the time police held a press conference to update the investigation, pleaded with the driver to come forward to investigators.

“We can’t have closure without knowing who (the driver is). Whatever they can tell us. If they don’t come in we’ll never know some answers,” McAulay’s father said.

On April 23, emergency crews were called to the northbound lanes of Highway 404 near Major MacKenzie Drive East in Markham around 10:30 p.m. after reports of a body spotted on the highway.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said the driver of the 2011 or 2012 black Hyundai Sonata would have been “absolutely aware” that McAulay had been struck and even slowed down or stopped before fleeing the area.

“Ethann McAulay was left to die on the road,” Schmidt said.

“In today’s society, fleeing the scene of a fatality is not only indecent, it’s unconscionable, it’s indefensible, it’s plain wrong and it’s illegal.”

His family said McAulay, who had been studying computer sciences, was smart and quiet and would do anything for anyone.

“(He was) the nicest boy you would ever meet. He would do absolutely anything for anybody. He was a great person,” his family said.

According to police, the vehicle that hit McAulay was last seen heading north on the highway and then west on Elgin Mills Road.

Schmidt said the vehicle’s front passenger headlight assembly, as well as the side mirror, were damaged in the collision.

“Do you know someone with this type of vehicle who is suddenly not driving it for any reason? Have you seen a vehicle with damage similar to this?” Schmidt asked.

Police said they don’t know if repairs to the vehicle have already been made and are asking anyone who works at an auto body shop or an auto parts supplier to recall if they’ve had someone come in looking for parts for a Hyundai.

“We have no idea who this person is. It could be the most unsuspecting person anywhere.”

Police believe the driver was the last person to see McAulay alive and may be able to answer a number of questions.

“What was Ethan doing? Was he calling for help? Was he running for safety? Was he confused, lost or disoriented? Was he in medical distress? What was he doing? We don’t know,” Schmidt said.

“Where was he on the road when he was struck? Was there someone else with him that we have no knowledge of? We want to give the family answers and we want that driver to come forward.”

Police are asking anyone with information pertinent to this investigation to contact Aurora OPP at 905-841-5777.