A 19-year-old man is in critical condition in hospital after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his skateboard Friday night in Abbotsford.
Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said the teen was travelling south on Majestic Crescent, on a downslope, when he apparently went through the stop sign and into traffic on Marshall Road at about 11:15 p.m.
MacDonald said a woman travelling west had to crank her vehicle hard to the right and onto Majestic to avoid hitting the skateboarder. The teen, who lives a few blocks from the area, was then hit by a Ford 150 truck heading east.
MacDonald said the skateboarder was not wearing a helmet. He was treated on scene by Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and BC Ambulance personnel before being transported to a local hospital. He was subsequently airlifted to another Lower Mainland hospital.
MacDonald said the 27-year-old driver of the pickup was sober, remained on scene and cooperated fully with police. He and his passenger were shaken by the collision.
“They’re still in shock,” MacDonald said.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Last October, a 29-year-old longboarder was killed in a similar accident at the corner of De Cosmos and Dunsmuir Way. The man was heading north down a steep slope on Dunsmuir, which has stop signs, and was struck by a Ford Expedition travelling east on De Cosmos, which has no stop signs.
