A North Vancouver jaywalker was taken to Lions Gate Hospital Wednesday after being struck in a hit-and-run.
A 16-year-old girl walked out onto East 23rd Street from between two parked cars at the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre when she was hit around 5: 30 p.m. The collision knocked the victim underneath a parked truck.
B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics rushed the girl to Lions Gate Hospital where she was treated for a broken tooth and various abrasions The suspect vehicle is a grey four-door Mazda with a male driver and passenger. Police are now hoping the driver will come forward. However, it is possible he may not even know he hit someone.
The incident underscores how dangerous it is to jaywalk, said Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman
"This pedestrian is very fortunate she did not sustain more serious injury," said De Jong. "The irony is that there is a pedestrian overhead walkway a short distance away from this incident. The danger of jaywalking across any street is potentially life-threatening. The risk is not worth it."