Kevin Emisch, the 38-year-old Windsor man who was left to die on the street after he was struck by an SUV in LaSalle, was previously known to the community as the Spring Garden Bushman.
LaSalle police identified Emisch on Saturday, two days after the deadly hit and run. His family is urging the driver of the SUV, who is still at large, to come forward with an explanation, Const. Harbinder Gill told The Star.
“It’s a senseless tragedy, and let’s not make it any more difficult,” Gill said.
Windsor police accused Emisch and his friend of possessing stolen items in 2013, and stashing them at a campsite in the Spring Garden ANSI where Emisch was believed to be living in a tent at the time.
Police discovered numerous items at the site, including an e-bike, chainsaw, ladder, wheelbarrow, a gas generator and several tool sets that included drills and socket sets.
“My heart sank when I learned of his death,” said Kelly Rivard, who attended Century Secondary School, now Westview Freedom Academy, with Emisch.
She knew Emisch to be an outgoing person with a lot of friends who loved music and playing guitar.
“He did not deserve to die,” Rivard said.
Adam Hughes, a childhood friend who knew Emisch for over 20 years, was shocked to learn of his untimely death.
“I was sitting with my dad when I heard the name released on TV, and I had to ask him if it was Kevin. He said it was, and I just didn’t know what to think,” said Hughes.
“Whoever did this is a coward. How can you live with yourself?”
Hughes recalls regularly spending weekends at Emisch’s home on Malden Road, and spending lots of time outdoors together.
“He was always able to survive out in the wilderness. He loved the bush,” said Hughes, who remembers Emisch as a great cook who enjoyed working with his hands.
“Kevin was a funny guy. He was very smart and loved music. He loved to build bikes and fix things.”
Windsor police would not discuss Emisch’s criminal history due to privacy concerns. The last time Hughes said he saw Emisch was a few years ago when they were in jail together.
“It’s a long story,” Hughes said. “But that was a couple of years ago and I haven’t seen him since. Kevin was never a violent person. He didn’t have that streak in him. He was a kind person.”
Hughes is also hopeful that the driver will come forward to police.
“Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this, and bring justice to Kevin and everyone who is grieving,” he said.
“If it was an accident, then say that. Bring some peace to everybody. Kevin’s life was cut way too short, way too fast.”
With files from Dane Wanniarachige
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