Hit-and-run driver at Campbell River car dealership turns herself in

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WATCH: A suspect is now under arrest following a series of hit-and-run crashes at a Campbell River. The collisions happened at a car dealership and as Kendall Hanson shows us, video surveillance captured the entire thing.

Coastline Mazda in Campbell River often deals with damaged cars, but the damage usually doesn’t happen right on their lot.

On Monday evening a single driver came onto the lot and hit five cars in a series of crashes.

“Never seen that happen before ever,” said Stephanie Welsh, Coastline Mazda’s Finance Manager. “I was shocked and my first thoughts were it had to be a diabetic seizure or something.”

It was 7:30 when the driver of an S-U-V, which was not a Mazda, first ran into one car. The driver turned around and hit two more vehicles in a car wash bay.

On the way out THE S-U-V veered into a row of cars damaging two before driving off.

“Right away we went to Facebook and got the video uploaded and put it online and reached out to the community for help and it’s crazy how people want to help people,” said Welsh.

Once posted the video quickly reached more than 20,000 views and soon the tips started to pour in. RCMP believe the video was crucial to them quickly cracking the case.

“We did receive a number of tips and subsequent to that a female driver from Campbell river did turn herself in at the detachment and spoke to our investigators about the matter,” said S/Sgt. Troy Beauregard of Campbell River RCMP.

“The vehicle was identified [and] evidence [and] photographs [were] obtained. The driver was subsequently released and will be appearing in court at a later date.”

Police say the 55-year-old will likely face charges of failing to remain at an accident scene and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Police won’t reveal the suspected motive but say they believe it was malicious.

“I can’t imagine why a person would want to do that,” said Welsh.

It will cost an estimated $15,000 to repair the damage. An amount the dealership wants the suspect to be held responsible for. But they say they also hope the woman gets whatever help she needs to prevent another incident like this one from happening again.

Kendall HansonKendall Hanson

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