Family of man killed in 2021 hit-and-run in Waterdown ‘not giving up hope’

A Waterdown family says they’re not giving up hope in the face of a hit-and-run tragedy.

They’re pressing ahead with efforts to find out who was driving the vehicle that killed a well-known and popular local teacher four years ago.

It was four years ago this September when 76-year-old Wayne Miller was killed in a hit-and-run, and even today his brother says local people are still asking how they’re doing on the anniversary of his death.

The memory of Wayne Miller is still alive in the village of Waterdown.

A bench honours him and his wife as local Scout leaders, a tree stands in their honour, and a little statue in the cemetery recalls Miller’s love of dogs.

“Wayne was very huge in this community,” said Miller’s brother Jim. “Everybody knew him, everybody loved him — he was one of those gentle giant guys.”

In fact, Jim says he was big enough to make it to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats training camp in the 1960s and play in exhibition games.

But he became known for decades of teaching.

“So, he was a natural teacher and he taught for 40 years at the Flamborough Centre School up the road,” said Jim. “He walked to school sometimes, and he was fully involved in the community.”

In 2021, Miller was walking along Centre Road north of Waterdown one night, after watching some of his students play baseball, when he was struck by a vehicle.

It was maybe a white SUV, or possibly a red sedan — the vehicle and driver have never been found.

WATCH MORE: Family seeks answers in 2021 hit-and-run death of former Flamborough teacher

Hamilton police said Wednesday, “unfortunately, there are no updates in regards to this collision,” and the family has “gone over the investigation and are aware of the state of the investigation.”

“The police told me over, and over that the investigation is complete,” said Jim. “There’s nothing else they can do, but the case is open because it’s unsolved.”

He says they’ve hired a private investigator, but because the case is still open, the police won’t share their file.

“It’s very frustrating. It’s been four years and we’d just like to see it come to an end,” said Jim. “Wayne deserves a lot better fate than what happened to him, so it would be great if we could find out who did it.”

They can only hope the driver’s conscience gets the better of them.

“Do the right thing: turn yourself in,” said Jim. “It must be tough for you to look in the mirror every day. Somebody knows something, and the guy — the person — definitely knows he hit him.”

For now, every year at this time, the memories come back for the family and the community, looking for justice.

“It’s always on our minds, especially with the anniversary,” said Jim. “September…it comes and we’re reminded of it.”

Jim says the private detective is still working on the case, and there’s still a $20,000 reward put up by a former student for information about Miller’s death.

READ MORE: $20K reward offered for new information involving fatal hit-and-run in Waterdown