Three years ago, beloved Waterdown teacher Wayne Miller was struck and killed on Centre Road — and the driver who hit him still hasn't been found.
Wayne’s loved ones still have no answers, after his life was cut short while he was out walking near his home.
Wayne was walking on the shoulder of Centre Road near Joe Sams Park where, his brother Jim says, he often walked. Around 8 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2021, Hamilton police said, Wayne was hit by a northbound driver while walking southbound.
“The witness that tried to save Wayne said the [person who hit him] backed up, tried to go around him, ran over his legs and took off,” Jim told FlamboroughToday this month.
Wayne was taken to Hamilton General Hospital, where he died from his injuries. He was just two weeks away from his 77th birthday when he was killed.
The driver, who police say was possibly in a white SUV, fled the scene. That person has never come forward or been found.
A fact that is difficult for Wayne's loved ones to wrap their heads around.
"To me it's mind-boggling because if I did something like that, I wouldn't be able to sleep or look at myself in the mirror," Jim said. "Whoever did this obviously has no conscience and just doesn't give a crap."
"At the very beginning, maybe it was an accident. Maybe. But the fact that [they] backed up and went around him and took off...that's no accident."
Wayne Miller's death huge loss for community
A few days before the third anniversary of his death, FlamboroughToday visited Wayne’s final resting place with Jim. He is buried in the cemetery at Grace Anglican Church with his wife, Dianne. A little statue of a white dog stands watch over their headstone.
"He loved dogs," Jim said.
Wayne was 10 years older than Jim, and growing up he took his brothers on hikes through the woods around Waterdown. Jim said the age difference meant Wayne raised him, in a way.
"We walked together, we played together, we canoed together, we had dogs together..." he said.
Wayne was a Cub Scout leader for decades, and now has a memorial bench dedicated at Sealey Park, near the Waterdown Scout hall. There is also a memorial cedar tree planted at Grace Anglican Church for Wayne, and for Dianne, who passed away in 1990. It remembers the couple as dedicated teachers.
Jim said being active was a huge part of his brother's life. He was a former Hamilton TiCat and taught physical education at Flamborough Centre for 33 years.
"He was in incredible shape. It's just a waste. A waste of life," Jim said.
Wayne's death hurt the Waterdown community, Jim said, because Wayne had taught so many children throughout his life. One of his former students has offered a $20,000 reward for anyone with information about who hit Wayne or what happened that day, but it has not led to any arrests.
Jim said police continue to investigate his brother's death, that it will always be an open case, but he does not have much hope for answers.
This time of year is difficult for Jim and his family, he said, who try to spend the anniversary of Wayne's death together at their family cottage.
For Jim, the years have moved on, even without justice for his brother.
“Wayne always said, 'When there is loss, life has to go on,'" Jim said. "I live it every day. I miss him."
Anyone with information on the Sept. 17, 2021 hit-and-run collision that ended in tragedy for Wayne Miller's family is urged to call CrimeStoppers Hamilton at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit online at crimestoppershamilton.com.
