The Wellington County OPP have paid out a $50,000 reward that led to a conviction in a 14-year-old fatal hit-and-run case.
Lucas Shortreed was hit and killed by a vehicle on October 10, 2008. The 18-year-old was walking home from a party sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. that night along Wellington Road 17 just outside of Alma.
The driver took off and left Lucas at the scene. Debris from the vehicle began a search for a white 1995 Dodge Neon.
After 14 long years, and over 100 tips received, police got a break in June 2022 when a tip led them to the home of David and Anastasia Halliburton, where they located a white semi-trailer next to the residence. The semi-trailer contained the very Dodge Neon investigators had been searching for.
Halliburton later confessed to being the driver that hit and left Shortreed on Wellington Road 17 14 years earlier. He also admitted to being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.
In September 2023, David Halliburton pleaded guilty to fail to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm or death and obstruction of justice, and received 2.5 years in prison and a three year driving prohibition. Anastasia Halliburton pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and careless storage of a firearm and was given six months house arrest, 12 months probation, and 200 hours of community service.
"I've had tips that seemed more concrete throughout the years that never panned out, so I was skeptical, but guardedly optimistic," shared Detective Constable Dave Telfer in an official OPP media release.
"Being able to payout the $50,000 reward shows that people with information can truly benefit by coming forward," added Superintendent Jennifer Spurrell.
"I feel a sense of resolution," said Judie Moore, Lucas's mother. "It was a horrific experience, but it was also positive the way so many people supported us and showed us so much love. Lucas was a wonderful kid and it's so sad not to know what he would have become, but he should never have been there in the middle of the road that night. It's important for me that other kids know they need a plan for a safe ride home"