What initially appeared to be a tragic traffic accident in Vancouver has taken a dark turn, with BC RCMP now confirming they're treating a fatal pedestrian strike as a criminal homicide investigation.
The incident occurred Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m. along Highway 17 near Ladner Trunk Road in Delta, BC. According to authorities, a vehicle struck a pedestrian and fled the scene without stopping, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries.
Despite efforts by emergency responders who rushed to the location, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The BC RCMP's Integrated Criminal Investigation Division has taken over the case, signaling the serious nature of the incident.
From Traffic Accident to Criminal Investigation
Corporal Alexa Hodgins of the BC RCMP emphasized that this is no ordinary traffic investigation. "We can confirm that this is being treated as criminal in nature and not a motor vehicle incident," Hodgins stated, drawing a clear distinction between this case and typical collision investigations.
The shift from a standard traffic investigation to a criminal probe suggests Mounties have uncovered evidence pointing to intentional or reckless behavior beyond typical driving offenses.
Community Shocked by Violent Incident
The fatal strike has left the Delta community reeling, with many residents expressing shock that such violence occurred in their neighborhood. Highway 17 remained closed for several hours overnight as forensic teams meticulously documented the scene.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision to come forward. Even the smallest detail could prove crucial in building their case against the responsible driver.
As the investigation continues, authorities remain tight-lipped about specific evidence that led to the criminal designation, though they assure the public that every resource is being dedicated to solving this case.
