Police say young man's death was 'entirely preventable'
By Castlegar Source
Despite the efforts of public and police to avert an accident, a teenaged boy was killed after trying to cross Highway 1 near Hope.
At approximately 11 p.m. on July 15, Hope RCMP received a complaint of three persons walking westbound along Highway 3 (Old Hope Princeton Way). Extensive patrols were made, but no pedestrians could be located.
About a half an hour later, Hope RCMP and Fraser Valley Traffic Services were notified of a pedestrian accident on Highway 1 near exit 160 (Hope). A witness at scene confirmed four teenagers were walking westbound on Highway 1 when a 20-year-old male attempted to run across the westbound lane of traffic toward the center grass area.
The driver of 2009 Chevrolet Pickup swerved to avoid the three teenagers on the side of the highway, and was unable to avoid the young male in the fast lane. Despite a doctor stopping to provide first aid at the scene, the young male was pronounced dead at scene. The driver remained at scene and is cooperating with police.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the part of the pedestrians. Highway 1 was closed for several hours as a result of the accident.
“This was an entirely preventable tragedy,” said Cpl. Robert McDonald of BC RCMP Traffic. He also pointed out that, in addition to being extremely dangerous to walk or hitchhike along Highway 1, it is also illegal.
