Oceanside RCMP now says the vehicle believed to be involved in a fatal hit and run crash in Parksville on the weekend has been recovered and they’ve been able to track some of its movements leading up to the crash.
Monday afternoon city crews cleaned the section of Hirst Avenue in Parksville where the horrific crash happened.
A 32-year-old Parksville man, who was walking on the road, was struck and killed early Saturday morning.
The driver didn’t stop leaving neighbours baffled.
“To leave somebody in the middle of the road. Why would you drive away? Pull over and do the right thing,” said Cleve Montgomery, a neighbour of the crash site.
Today police revealed they have recovered a truck believed to be involved. It’s a 1999 black Ford 250, with a lift kit. It was dumped three kilometres away on Soriel Road.
A neighour reported it as suspicious an hour and a half after the crash.
“We noticed some front end damage on that vehicle,” said Cpl. Jesse Foreman, with Oceanside RCMP.
“We’ve sent that vehicle off. It’s going to be totally analyzed by the forensic identification section to ensure it was the vehicle that was involved in the hit and run.”
Police say they’ve spoken to the registered owner and they say shortly before the crash the truck left a parking lot near the Rod & Gun, a popular bar just blocks from where the crash happened. Police say they’ve narrowed down the events to between 2:30 and 2:33 in the morning and they’d like any video surveillance in that time period.
“We’re appealing to the general public. Somebody must have seen somebody get into that vehicle and drive off. Presumably, someone who knows the male or female that was driving,” said Foreman.
Police say they don’t have any suspects yet but they’re hoping a tip from the public will help lead to charges against the person who is responsible.
Kendall Hanson
