SUSPECT ARRESTED 3 MONTHS AFTER BRITISH COLUMBIA HIT-AND-RUN

A Vernon woman is still hospitalized almost three months after suffering serious injuries in a car accident. It has taken this long for RCMP to identify the suspect, who now faces charges.

The car accident happened on Dec. 3, 2014, when a Hyundai and Jeep collided in the 39th Avenue and Alexis Park Drive intersection in Vernon. Witnesses to the crash saw the Jeep motorist running away immediately after it happened. Meanwhile, the 44-year-old female motorist of the Hyundai was trapped inside. When she was freed, emergency workers took her to Vernon Jubilee Hospital. However, she had to be taken to a Vancouver hospital because her injuries were so serious.

Almost three months later, RCMP arrested a 22-year-old Vernon resident whose identity has not been disclosed. Authorities credit the public and media for helping them track down the suspect. An RCMP inspector also praised the team assigned to the case for not giving up on finding the motorist of the Jeep.

Every time a person takes to the road, there is a risk of becoming involved in an auto accident. There are many causes for traffic collisions, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and reckless driving. The resulting injuries could be as minor as whiplash or as serious as death.

Personal injury claims arising from car accidents could involve the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, the Crown corporation that allocates essential and optional vehicle coverage to all resident motorists. Like many insurers, the ICBC may not be so concerned for the well-being of the claimants as to provide fair compensation for their injuries.

Crash victims may hire lawyers so that they do not have deal directly with the ICBC. Getting advice from lawyers might also keep claimants from saying something to ICBC representatives that they might use against the claimants later.

Source: Kelowna Now , “Vernon Hit and Run Suspect Arrested Nearly Three Months Later“, Anita Sthankiya, Feb. 24, 2015