RCMP look for driver in Burnaby, B.C., hit and run that left teen hurt

BURNABY, B.C. – Police are urging an unidentified driver to come forward after a vehicle hit a 13-year-old boy on the street, leaving him with serious injuries in Burnaby, B.C.

Police say they received a report Monday at 5:25 p.m. that a vehicle had struck a boy in an intersection of a residential area of the city and the driver didn’t stay at the scene.

The boy was taken to hospital for treatment of broken bones and a concussion.

“He’s going to be okay, but he’s in rough shape right now,” Cpl. Mike Kalanj said Tuesday.

Based on the extent of the teen’s injuries and the fact the boy was found in the middle of the street, Kalanj said it’s likely the driver was aware of hitting someone.

There is no description of the suspect or the vehicle available, but there would likely be some damage to the bumper or the front of the vehicle, said Kalanj, who appealed to the driver to come forward.

“Whether you’re at fault in an accident or not, it is the law to stop and to exchange information and more importantly, to make sure that people are okay and not injured. But the minute that you drive away, it’s now a different criminal incident,” he said.

“To the driver, please come forward and tell us what happened, he said.

It was dark when the accident occurred and Kalanj said police don’t yet know whether speed or any other factors contributed to the crash.

Police are asking for any witnesses who think they can help in the investigation to contact Burnaby RCMP.

They are also making an appeal for CCTV and dash cam footage around the intersection of 17 Ave. and Humphries St. around that time.

“We’re going to do our best to get some answers for the family,” said Kalanj.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2019.