Trenton church damaged as car crashes into it

By Sarah Law

BELLEVILLE – A brick wall and an entrance at a central Trenton church were seriously damaged when a car crashed into it in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A 23-year-old Quinte West man faces charges.

The Quinte West OPP say they were called at about 3:10 a.m. to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at Dundas Street East and Marmora Street. Officers found the vehicle had struck a streetlight and a fire hydrant, then the church, and then rolled over. The driver had fled the scene by the time they arrived but was later found, police said.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance and treated for minor injuries.

The Quinte West fire department and an ambulance crew were at the scene along with the OPP. 

Rev. Luke Vanderkamp, a minister at St. Andrew’s, told QNet News Thursday morning that the church’s southeast entrance, where its accessibility lift is located, has been rendered completely useless. One of the church’s brick walls was also taken out, Vanderkamp said.

The streetlight that was struck flew three houses down before hitting a car, he added.

Although the church has insurance, the damage is still an inconvenience, Vanderkamp said. 

The driver was charged with careless driving and failing to remain at the scene of the accident. 

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Quinte West OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.