Montreal conductor Boris Brott killed in hit and run in Hamilton

Police in Hamilton and Ontario’s police watchdog are looking into a fatal hit and run that killed an internationally-renown conductor.

Police said they responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck while crossing the road by a driver who was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road.

It was later confirmed that the pedestrian was 78-year-old Boris Brott of Montreal.

Brott was the Maestro of the Orchestre Classique de Montréal (OCM), the founder of the Brott Music Festival and the founder and artistic director of the National Academy Ochestra of Canada.

“The entire OCM family is in a state of shock and disbelief. Boris Brott was the heart and soul of the Orchestra Classique de Montreal, an extraordinary ambassador of classical music, recognized beyond our borders, a mentor to countless young musicians and a very dear friend to many among them we,” said the OCM in a Facebook post.

“His sudden death leaves a deep void in the music community and a great sadness in our hearts.”

Other messages of support for Brott have come from the community.

The Brott Music Festival also posting on Facebook, “He will be sorely missed by all who appreciated his unsurpassed talent and by those who loved him.”

Hamilton police say the driver of the vehicle has been arrested. Adding three officers and the suspect were injured during the arrest.