Peel Regional Police released grainy images Wednesday night of a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a Brampton cyclist who family members said “loved to laugh.”

There has yet to be an arrest in the case, more than one month after Paul De Pledge, 39, was struck and killed.

The images are grainy and the suspect was captured from a distance, but police are desperate for any clues.

De Pledge, 38, died when a stolen utility trailer broke free from a stolen van and hit him as he rode his bike to work on Summerlea Road, in the area of Torbram Road and Steeles Avenue East, around 6 a.m. on Aug. 1.

De Pledge wasn’t found or tended to until 8 a.m., police said.

Police say two suspects were seen ditching the van six kilometres away from where De Pledge was hit and escaping on a motorcycle.

Police found the white cargo van they had been searching for around 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 1. It was discovered on Jasper Rd. about 10 hours after De Pledge was hit.

Read more:

‘They killed my brother’: 1 week and still no arrests in deadly hit-and-run

Driver flees after cyclist killed by stolen trailer in Brampton hit-and-run, police say

Surveillance video from the residential area where the van was abandoned shows two suspects getting out of the vehicle and leaving the area on a motorcycle.

Investigators have obtained further images of one of the suspects.

Peel Const. Akhil Mooken said the images were captured at a business near the scene of the crime prior to the fatal hit-and-run.

“We’re releasing (the images) to the public in hopes of identifying the individual,” he said.

De Pledge, a huge soccer fan, namely the English Premier League, was described by family members as someone who was constantly helping people.

“He was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends and loved to laugh,” according to an online obituary. “Paul loved to be the silly uncle and could always be seen taking photographs. Paul enjoyed a variety of sports and outdoor activities and took great pride in being physically fit.”

Residents reacted with disgust on social media after the new images of the suspect were made public.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

“So gutless. How could he just take off?” tweeted Edgar Paterson. “Such a coward.”

Anyone with information should call 905-453-3311, ext. 3710, or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Last year, Peel police investigated 200 collisions involving cyclists.

lrosella@metroland.com. With files from Pam DouglasLouie Rosella is a reporter with The Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. He can be reached at

Read more about: