'He loved his work and took pride in keeping his city clean and safe like it was his own backyard'
The driver who hit and killed a city worker in Ontario earlier this month was in control of their vehicle, according to a recent report.
Nabil El Ahmed died in a collision in Hamilton on April 4.
The incident occurred on Golf Links Road, near Martindale Crescent and Legend Court.
“A white sedan was travelling westbound on Golf Links when they collided with a city vehicle that was conducting business in the shoulder lane,” Const. Trevor McKenna, with Hamilton Police, said in a video posted in the police service’s X account.
At this point, the Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) has determined that the driver who struck El Ahmed did not lose control of their vehicle and had no medical issues, according to a report by CTV News.
The driver was also not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
At the time of the incident, the 55-year-old El Ahmed and his co-worker — who was injured in the crash — were using the required safety equipment.
Mechanical inspections of both vehicles are scheduled to take place at a later date.
All other factors are still being investigated, Const. Trevor McKenna told CTV News. The CRU is working with the Coroners Office as well as investigators from the provincial Ministry of Labour.
Funeral for city worker
Dozens of people attended Nabil El Ahmed’s Janazah (funeral) and post-burial gathering on Monday, according to CTV News.
El Ahmed was born to Palestinian parents in Saudi Arabia in 1970 and immigrated to Canada with them in 1985 when he was 15 years old. He worked for the City of Hamilton for more than 20 years as a heavy equipment operator. He was promoted to the role of supervisor nearly a year ago.
El Ahmed is survived by his wife of 32 years Lina El Ali, and their children: Ibrahim, 30; Jeanine, 26; and Hadi, 23.
“He loved his work and took pride in keeping his city clean and safe like it was his own backyard,” his family said, according to the report.
“We mourn our member who was a proud city worker and a community member,” said CUPE Local 5167 via Facebook. “Nabil was a hard working roads operator that did not make it home after work.”
