Father stabbed while daughter was in the back seat, teen arrested: Niagara police

A Niagara Regional Police officer is seen in an undated file photo. (The Canadian Press/Francis Vachon)

A man is in critical condition after the 17-year-old driver of the car he was in stabbed him following an argument on New Year's Eve.

Police say the male teenager was driving a vehicle in Niagara Falls on Dec. 31 in the area of Victoria Avenue and Centre Street just after 8:30 p.m. with a 38-year-old man and his six-year-old daughter in the back seat.

A verbal argument between the teenage driver and the man led to a physical confrontation outside the vehicle, police say, and the passenger was stabbed.

After the argument, officers say the six-year-old girl exited the vehicle and the teenager got back inside and drove away.

The victim was taken to an out-of-town hospital where police say he is in stable but critical condition.

NRPS tells CTV News Toronto that, "the relationship between the accused and the victim is unknown. Detectives are working to try and establish the relationship."

Police say the 17-year-old from Hamilton has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and breach of recognizance.

The suspect cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

He was held in custody for a bail hearing in St. Catharines on Jan. 2.

Police are asking anyone who might have more information about the stabbing to contact them or Crime Stoppers.