Updated: March 5
A pedestrian who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident with a vehicle on March 4, has been medevacked to a hospital in Vancouver, according to a family member.
Dawn Hyzims, stated on The Northern View’s social media newsfeed that the victim is her younger brother. She said on Facebook he is Duane Jordan Brown Jnr.
“Feel so hopeless … after listening to the doctor on what’s going to be done on him. My brother will need all your prayers. This is life-threatening surgery that will take up to 10-hours,” she posted online.
The Prince Rupert RCMP reopened McBride around 5 p.m. on Saturday after investigating the overnight hit and run that left Brown in hospital with serious injuries
The 33-year-old man was struck by a vehicle on McBride St. near 5th Ave. East at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday. The driver fled the scene but was later apprehended and remains in custody, Const. Brody Hemrich, media relations officer for the police detachment, stated.
Police and Emergency Health Services attended the scene, where they found a badly injured man who was transported to Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. His serious condition is fluctuating, Hemrich said.
Police report that a primary witness to the incident identified the truck as well as the driver, who was operating a red Toyota Tacoma truck.
“When officers made contact with the driver they suspected he was impaired by alcohol, the man provided breath samples which were almost three times the legal limit. The man is currently being held in custody and his name will not be released at this time,” Hemrich stated.
The vehicle has been seized for further investigative purposes.
A portion of McBride St. will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to the seriousness of the investigation and police are requesting people stay away from the area by taking alternative routes.
” We are also asking that anyone that may have witnessed the collision, has dash camera footage or other CCTV footage to come forward and contact police immediately.”
“The seriousness of this collision is another reminder of how dangerous driving while impaired is, whether that impairment is caused by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. The RCMP is reminding everyone to make alternative arrangements whenever they drink, take any drug, or are too tired to drive, so that everyone can make it home safe,” the officer said.
If you have any information regarding this incident please call the Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-624-2136.