Hamilton Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation of a hit-and-run that sent one person to hospital late Monday afternoon.

It happened around 4:30 p.m. on St. Clair Blvd. between Cumberland Ave. and Delaware Ave., just metres away from Pat Musitano’s house.

A 76-year-old friend of Musitano was backing his Buick Lacrosse into the driveway at the same time a Mercedes C300 with Quebec licence plates was driving south on St. Clair.

Something the driver of the Buick saw spooked him, causing him to accelerate fast and dangerously out of the driveway, across the lawn and head on into the Mercedes. He is recovering in hospital with minor injuries but is not cooperating with investigators.

Police say three black males were seen fleeing the area northbound on St. Clair Blvd. following the crash. The suspects are described as, black, 25-30 years old, two of them about 6’ft and athletic, the other shorter and stockier. One wore a mask and one carried a bag he grabbed from the Mercedes. Video surveillance shows the males removing their initial clothing as they made their way to the area of Holton Ave. and King St. East.

The owner of the Mercedes later contacted police to report the accident and went to the police station after 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. He was arrested for failing to remain at the scene of an accident and conspiracy to commit murder.

Police say he was interviewed for several hours and remained uncooperative, he was eventually released unconditionally as currently there is insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges.