A North Vancouver woman is in hospital with head injuries after colliding with a vehicle midway through a Lynn Valley intersection Tuesday night.
Witnesses told police that around 7:30 p.m., the 21-year-old entered a marked crosswalk on Lynn Valley Road at 29th Street while the Don’t Walk sign was flashing, attempting to quickly cross through the intersection before the light changed. She safely made it past one driver in a black SUV but then collided with a second slow-moving vehicle turning right onto 29th, according to Cpl. Geoff Harder, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
“She actually ran into the vehicle,” Harder said. “She hit the side of it. It knocked her back. It was her head hitting the ground when she fell that caused the injuries.”
An off-duty paramedic and his girlfriend were the first ones to offer help at the scene. B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics rushed the woman to Lions Gate Hospital, where she was still in treatment as of Thursday afternoon, Harder said.
The driver stayed at the scene and Integrated Collision Analysis Reconstruction Service shut down the road for several hours to investigate.
Although they are not under any suspicion, police are asking the driver of the black SUV, as well as any other witnesses, to come forward to assist the investigation. Impairment from drugs or alcohol is not considered a factor in the collision and RCMP have not yet determined whether anyone involved will be ticketed.
The incident comes as police agencies have been pushing a pedestrian safety message, as earlier sunsets and bad weather hamper visibility.
“Both drivers and pedestrians share the responsibility to ensure that intersections are clear and safe to proceed before entering,” Harder said in a press release. “As the days get shorter and the rain persists, pedestrians are increasingly difficult to see. Pedestrians need to ensure the walk signal is lit prior to crossing, and also need to look, listen, and be visible.”
