Family members of one of two women injured by a hit-and-run driver in a South Surrey crosswalk Monday night are appealing to the person responsible to come forward.
“That would be the right thing to do,” Cathy Halpin, a sister of victim Shelley Lammers, said Tuesday.
“I think you’ll feel a lot better if you turn yourself in,” Lammers’ mom, Sally Rossi, said.
Lammers, a 51-year-old Delta resident, suffered multiple injuries when she was hit just before 8 p.m. as she jogged across 152 Street at 32 Avenue with her running partner, 54-year-old Nola Carlson.
The impact threw Lammers into Carlson.
Lammers suffered a concussion, fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, two broken vertebrae and a lacerated liver, and was airlifted to Royal Columbian Hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
Carlson, who was less-seriously injured, was transported to RCH by ambulance.
Rossi told Peace Arch News Tuesday afternoon that her daughter, who is an avid runner and a twin, doesn’t remember what happened, but was doing “everything right” at the time to be safe on the road.
Both women – who were at the back of a group of runners out that night as part of an organized running clinic – were wearing reflective clothing and headlamps when they were hit.
Rossi, who lives in Maple Ridge, is shocked the driver never stopped to help.
“I can just see the two poor ladies lying there, bleeding on the pavement, and… the driver didn’t stop,” she said.
Police are looking for a white crossover-type vehicle with front-end damage in connection with the collision. (Surrey RCMP initially reported it as a dark-coloured car, but changed the description late Tuesday afternoon).
The driver was turning right off of 32 Avenue to head south on 152 Street when the women were hit.
Police say it is “unlikely” the driver did not know the women had been hit, and encouraged him or her to come forward now.
“No matter what the reason was for not stopping, it is in your best interest to come forward now as opposed to us finding you later,” Cpl. Bert Paquet said.
Halpin said it is “disturbing” to think that someone could leave such a scene.
“Accidents happen,” she said. “I think the whole point is that somebody left them there. That’s what’s disturbing.”
Officers are canvassing the area for video surveillance that could help identify the person and vehicle involved. They are also looking for witnesses who have not yet spoken to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Surrey detachment at 604-599-0502.
The incident is also a reminder to drivers and pedestrians alike to be extra cautious on the roads, Paquet said, citing inclement weather and the earlier onset of darkness.
It occurred less than three months after a 14-year-old died from injuries suffered when he was hit as he crossed 152 Street at 34 Avenue.
The Korean exchange student was struck around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 as he crossed 152 against a red light.
