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After 14 years, arrests made in fatal hit-and-run investigation

Fergus teenager died in 2008 after being hit by a car on a country road near Elora while walking home from a party
Screenshot 2021-07-22 11.58.26 AM
Lucas Shortreed.

After 14 years, two people have been charged in the death of Lucas Shortreed.

The 18-year-old was walking home to Fergus after attending a party just north of Elora on Oct. 10, 2008 when he was struck by a car and killed.

Police identified the vehicle as a mid-90s white Dodge Neon but were never able to find the car or the driver.

On Wednesday Wellington County OPP executed a search warrant at an address on Sideroad 21, Mapleton Township. Two people were taken into custody and a vehicle was recovered from the property.

As a result of the investigation, David Alexander Halliburton, 55 of Arthur Township, has been charged with:

  • Fail to stop at scene of accident involving bodily harm or death
  • Obstruct justice - sec. 139(1)

Anastasia Marie Haliburton, 53 of Arthur Township, has been charged with:

  • Accessory after the fact to commit indictable offence
  • Obstruct justice

"On Oct. 10, 2008, 18-year-old Lucas Shortreed was walking on Wellington Road 17 near Alma, Ont. at approximately midnight, when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene. Further investigation determined that the suspect vehicle was a 1995-1997 white Dodge Neon. For the past 14 years, investigators with the Wellington County OPP have followed up on over 100 tips and investigated hundreds of similar vehicles as they worked to locate the involved vehicle and determine its driver," said an OPP news release.

"On Sept. 21, 2022, the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) executed a search warrant at an address on Sideroad 21, Mapleton Township. Two people were taken into custody and a vehicle was recovered from the property." 

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice - Guelph at a later date. 

The investigation by the Wellington County OPP continues.

"I am extremely proud of the many officers with the Wellington County OPP who have worked countless hours over the past fourteen years investigating this serious matter which has had such a great impact on our community. Today's events mark an important step in bringing those responsible for Lucas's death to justice," said Wellington County Detachment Commander Inspector Steve Thomas.