An elderly Penticton woman is expected to remain in hospital for at least two months after being struck in a downtown crosswalk last Friday by a hit-and-run driver.
With the assistance of the public, Penticton RCMP were able to locate the suspect vehicle on Government Street just a few minutes after the accident.
The victim was identified by family spokesman Paul Varga as Eva MacGregor, 90, a resident of Charles Manor which is not far from the scene of the accident.
Investigating officer Cpl. Ted Manchulenko of the Penticton RCMP said the woman, who was using a walker at the time, was crossing Martin Street eastbound when the Nissan pickup truck turning left from Nanaimo Avenue southbound allegedly hit her.
Early indications are that she was crossing with the green walk signal illuminated.
“Initially the driver stopped and witnesses have told us that a second driver (a female) got into the vehicle and drove away from the scene,” said Manchulenko.
“Under the Criminal Code legislation a hit and run comprises several different components and both of them (drivers) are, allegedly, responsible for one of those components.
“If you separate it, he’s responsible for the hit and she’s responsible for the run and that’s why they were charged separately.”
The unidentified male, believed to be in his 40s, and female were taken into custody after being stopped and have since made court appearances and been released.
In addition to the Criminal Code charges, the suspects also face a number of traffic-related offences.
Police said the truck had several different licence plates attached to it, however it was not properly licensed. It was seized.
The investigating officer added he spoke to the woman in the hospital afterwards and she was in good spirits despite her injuries.
“It’s going to be a significant impact to her mobility,” said Varga, who praised Charles Manor staff members who rushed to MacGregor’s aid immediately after she was struck.
“They took care of her and that was very welcome.”
The seniors’ facility is located on the west side of Martin Street, just south of the intersection where the accident happened.
Varga indicated doctors have still not determined the full extent of MacGregor’s injuries but along with the broken leg, there appears to be some soft-tissue damage. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor and Manchulenko is not sure why the suspects left the scene.
“Anyone involved in an accident like this should just simply stay and whatever happens, happens,” he said.