A Toronto Police The detective calls on a passenger who was present at the scene when a 16-year-old boy was “intentionally” run over and killed by a man driving an SUV just over five years ago.

Det. Sgt. Brandon Price of the homicide unit said a little more than five years after Matthew Dreaver’s death, he called a passenger directly as a witness to help solve the case.

On October 7, 2019, Price said Dreaver was out with a friend, a 14-year-old boy, when the two had “an interaction” with two men who were in a black or blue 2007 Hyundai Sante Fe SUV. 2012.

The interaction occurred in the back of a Shoppers Drug Mart in the dark portion of the parking lot at the corner of O’Connor Drive and Woodbine Avenue. Price said in 2019 that “words were exchanged” and the boys grew apart.

The boys were then pursued by the two men in the SUV, who pursued them as they fled on foot.

“The men searched the area for a while, but then found the two boys near Stan Wadlow Park,” Price said, adding that at one point the passenger got out of the vehicle while the driver stayed and the boys continued.

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“The driver climbed onto the curb, drove down the sidewalk onto the grass, then struck Matthew Dreaver with the SUV.”

In 2019, police said “it is clear to us that the victim was intentionally struck.”

Surveillance footage has been released of the incident that happened five years ago. Price said the driver then moved out of range of the surveillance cameras and picked up the passenger who was previously in the vehicle. They then fled the area.

After extensive research and investigation, the case remains unsolved.

“We have not been able to identify the suspect at this point,” Price said.

As part of the ongoing investigation, an appeal has been made to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest. Price also specifically appealed directly to the man who was the passenger in the vehicle.

“I believe you were not in the vehicle when the driver ran over Matthew Dreaver and killed him. I also believe you didn’t know the driver was going to run Matthew over,” Price said.

“I seek to speak with you as a witness to this event.

“I need you to come talk to us so we can solve this case.” Find justice for Matthew, find closure for Kelly, his mother and the whole family.

He said police have exhausted all investigative measures and avenues and without any new information or technology, they are unable to identify a suspect.

“Keeping a secret like that is a very heavy burden. And I think if he was concerned about guilt and that’s a reason for him not to come forward, I think that statement from me says I have no information that you are guilty of that. So I want you to come forward as a witness to help us clarify this.

Dreaver’s family, including his mother Kelly, and friends were at the news conference Friday. Kelly read a statement and was visibly very emotional.

“Matthew was just a 16-year-old boy who had a life ahead of him before it was stolen from him,” Kelly said through tears.

“He was my son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew. Matthew was taken from us five years ago, destroying our family and leaving us with many unanswered questions. For what? How could this happen to my child? she said, sobbing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7100 or through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

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