B.C. boy in critical condition after struck by van, police seek witnesses

KELOWNA, B.C. – An eight-year-old boy with Down syndrome is fighting for his life after he was hit and dragged along by a van while playing outside his home in Kelowna, B.C.

Jonah Loring was with his younger brother on Monday afternoon when the van struck him and pulled him for at least one metre.

Vicki Pevach, Loring’s grandmother, says the boy is now on life support and has two collapsed lungs, broken ribs and a possible neck injury.

He was flown to B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with serious injuries and was in critical condition.

Police say the 55-year-old driver stayed on the scene after the collision and investigators are now looking for witnesses.

Pevach says she can’t wrap her mind around the fact that this has happened to her grandson, who recently celebrated his birthday.

“We can hardly speak out loud about it,” she says. “We’re just very upset. It’s a state of shock at this moment.”

She says residents of the complex built for aboriginal families have complained that motorists often drive through without watching for children playing.

Steve Pevach, Loring’s father, says he watched the collision and alleges that the van was speeding.

The van is a commercial design and painting vehicle.

Calls to the company were not returned on Tuesday. (Kelowna Daily Courier)