Nanaimo RCMP is looking for witnesses after a serious pedestrian hit and run incident near Nanoose Bay on March 4.
Two pedestrians and their two dogs were struck on Lorenzen Lane, located at the end of Superior Road, around 3:20 p.m., according to an RCMP media release. Police, ambulance and Lantzville Fire Department responded.
Geoff and June, last names withheld, told police they were walking their two dogs, Marley and Taz, when they were hit by a black SUV, which drove away. June was taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, according to RCMP.
The two were struck from behind while walking single file along the shoulder facing oncoming traffic. The force of the collision pushed the two people and their pets into the ditch, according to the release.
Geoff told police he managed to crawl out of the ditch and saw the SUV had stopped a short distance away. He yelled at the driver for help, but the vehicle sped off towards Superior Road. Minutes later Geoff was able to flag down a passing vehicle and the driver called 911.
June was transported to hospital with significant, but non-life-threatening injuries, while Geoff sustained soft tissue bruising, according to police. One of the dogs was seriously injured and required surgery to repair one of its legs. The other dog suffered serious bruising.
The suspect vehicle sustained damage to the front on the driver’s side, as pieces of the vehicle were found at the scene, police said. Geoff told police it was a clear day, there were no other vehicles or pedestrians in the area and neither he nor June heard the vehicle approaching.
“Based on where they were walking and given that the driver actually stopped the vehicle after striking them, it is inconceivable that the driver did not realize what had transpired,” said Const. Gary O’Brien.
Anyone with information about the incident can call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file #2022-7458.
