A teenage male has been charged with attempted murder in Cobalt after a 16-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle Sunday evening.
Temiskaming OPP responded to the event at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Helen Street and Prospect Avenue in Cobalt.
The investigation revealed that a dispute occurred between an 18-year-old male and the girl, who suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital in Ottawa, where she remains.
Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and there are no concerns for public safety.
The 18-year-old is charged with:
- Attempt to commit murder
- Aggravated assault
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Breach of conditional sentence order
The male remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on November 12.
Police say the name of the accused will be withheld to protect the identity of the victim, however, a family member says the victim is a former girlfriend of the male, and she was getting off a bus from work at the time she was struck. The family also says the girl was attacked with a machete after being hit.
The Temiskaming OPP Crime Unit is continuing the investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.
Anyone with any information relating to this investigation is asked to call the Temiskaming OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Meanwhile, family members have started a Gofundme page for the victim and over $40,000 has already been raised toward the $50,000 goal.
"The family is in awe of all the support from the northern communities and everyone donating and sharing. We thank you for the support from the bottom of our hearts," writes family member Paige Smith.
"Funds will cover fuel, hotels, meals, and possibly a rental car and cover expenses as her mother will be off work to be by her daughter's side. It will also be used to cover legal fees and anything needed going forward as a result of this tragedy. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated."
The family has also started a campaign to stop the attacker getting bail.
"We ask that the community email or call the Haileybury crown attorney's office to plead that this isn't another catch and release. Phillip needs to stay behind bars to protect our other innocent youth!"
