A Vancouver woman in her 70s is dead after the city recorded its first pedestrian fatality in the early evening hours of Sunday night.
The incident happened around 5:20 p.m. near the intersection of Pacific and Richard streets, when a delivery van turning left onto Pacific struck the woman and her husband on a marked crosswalk.
“They both sustained very serious life-threatening injuries, and unfortunately yesterday she did succumb and passed away,” said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Aaron Roed. “We feel very sorry for the family and understand that this is a life-changing situation for what they have to deal with and what they have to go through in the future.”
Roed said both pedestrians are in their 70s. The husband is in hospital and expected to recover from his physical injuries.
The driver of the van, a 37-year-old man from Surrey, remained at the scene and is cooperating with police. He’s not been arrested or charged, and Roed was unsure if charges will be laid in the future.
The weather at the time of the incident, as well as the clothing worn by the pedestrians are factors collision investigators are still looking into.
Roed wouldn’t say whether the driver or the pedestrians had the right of way in the incident.
Vancouver recorded six pedestrian fatalities last year and eight in the previous year.
The VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit is gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses. Anyone with dashcam footage who was driving in the area at the time of the collision, or anyone who may have witnessed the collision, is asked to call investigators at 604-717-3012.
@JohnKurucz
