Sarnia police have released the name of a man charged with first-degree murder after their investigation into what was believed to be a traffic fatality took an unexpected turn this weekend.

Marshall Jay Scott Maness, 41, of Sarnia, was arrested Saturday in connection to the murder of 42-year-old Raynold Fisher who died in London hospital Aug. 6.

Maness made a brief video court appearance Monday where he was remanded in custody until Aug. 11 for another appearance.

On Aug. 5, an unconscious Fisher was discovered at the intersection of Vidal and Clifford streets. An ATV, which was resting up against a traffic light standard, was also found at the scene.

Fisher, who was first taken to Bluewater Health, died in London hospital Aug. 6 after he had been transferred in critical condition.

As Sarnia police’s forensic unit and traffic reconstructionists pieced together what had transpired in the days following, Sarnia police Insp. Norm Hansen said the focus of the investigation recently shifted from a traffic fatality to a homicide thanks to new information provided by the public.

“Any time now that we have a serious injury that may result in a death especially, we have detectives involved as well, so what happened was over the course of investigation we found some witnesses that changed the focus to a homicide,” he said Monday.

When asked if the intersection had been staged to look like a traffic fatality, Hansen declined to comment Monday.

Sarnia police are still interested in speaking to any witnesses who have yet to come forward.

“I don’t want to sound cliché, but we can’t do this without the public, and if people don’t come forward, we’re not going to solve anything,” Hansen said.

The investigation is still ongoing.

“We still have a list of tasks to do – people to interview and things to collect and work on,” Hansen added. “Once the arrest is made, the work actually ramps up.”

If anyone has any information, please call Sarnia police Det. Sgt. Dwayne Whelpley at 519-344-8861, ext. 6151 or Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca