It was a particularly dangerous day for North Vancouver pedestrians Tuesday. Three people were sent to Lions Gate Hospital with head injuries after being struck crossing the street.
"It's very unusual," said Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
De Jong said the weather and change back to standard time and its shorter daylight hours may have been contributors.
The first incident happened just after dawn Nov. 4 when a 25-year-old woman was knocked to the ground by a man on a scooter as she crossed St. George's Avenue at First Street.
The woman was taken to Lions Gate Hospital with a concussion as well as a laceration above her eyebrow, De Jong said. No charges have been laid.
"He just didn't see her," De Jong said.
The second victim was a 64-year-old man who was jaywalking across 13th Street toward Lions Gate Hospital when he was struck by a Volkswagen moving at about 40 kilometres per hour, said De Jong.
The victim was helped into the emergency room where he was given five staples to close a head laceration.
The driver told police he couldn't see the victim due to the sun being in his eyes. Police are not considering any charges.
Emergency crews were tasked for a third time just after 6:30 p.m. when a 63-year-old woman was knocked down while walking through a construction zone at West First Street and Semisch Avenue.
"It turns out the flagger had told the driver to stop but it appeared there was some confusion," De Jong said The woman suffered head lacerations, a mild concussion and bruises.
That file is still under investigation and police have not ruled out whether there will be charges.
On Oct. 21, an 88-year-old woman was hospitalized after being run down on Lynn Valley Road and an 80-year-old West Vancouver man remains in hospital after being struck on Lonsdale Avenue at Fifth Street on Oct. 17.
"It's the whole 'look, listen and be seen,'" De Jong said.
"Always make eye contact with the driver. Don't assume the driver has seen you and always focus on what's going on around you," he said.
De Jong added staring into a smart phone while crossing the street is not smart.
