Castlegar RCMP are seeking charges against a 27-year-old Crescent Valley man in relation to a hit-and-run incident on April 5, 2018.
Charges include failure to remain at the scene of an accident, impaired driving, refusing to provide a breath sample and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
When Sarah Schenker headed out for an evening walk around 9 p.m. last Thursday with her dog Tui she never expected that both of them would be needing medical attention before the walk was over.
According to Schenker, her and her dog were both struck by a truck and the driver fled the scene. The incident occurred on 3rd Street and 4th Avenue in downtown Castlegar.
“As we crossed the street at an intersection, under a street light, a truck raced up the street,” said Schenker. “We tried to get out of the way, but we weren’t fast enough. He was driving really, really fast and he hit us both.”
Schenker didn’t think the driver even saw them.
“Honestly, I don’t think he even let off the acceleration when he realized he hit us — he kept going down the street. I didn’t see his brake lights flash or anything,” she said.
“It was pretty scary.”
Schenker was left with soft tissue injuries and a lot of road rash. Her left calf has a crush-type injury.
“The whole calf is swollen, and there is road rash all over. It is turning purple and black and bruising now,” she said.
She is on crutches, has bruising to her hip. She hit her head on the ground when she fell, so also has bruising on her head and around an eye.
Tui went into shock as soon as she was hit.
“We didn’t know if she was going to make it,” said Schenker. “But we got her to the vet in time and they were able to stabilize her.”
Tui has undergone several surgeries. She sustained injuries to her face and head and a shattered tooth had to be removed. Several other teeth are now also turning dark so more extractions may be in Tui’s future.
Tui also has a brachial plexus injury to her right front leg, which Schenker explained is similar to a dislocated shoulder in a human.
“She does not have full movement in her limb, and we are just going to have to wait and see if she is going to be able to walk — if not she may have to have it amputated,” explained Shenker.
Tui had to have stitches and has a drain in one of her cuts as it was very deep. Vet bills have already reached over $3,000.
Schenker is a student working on a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and since she is studying online she has been able to stay at home to take care of the dog.
About 20 minutes after the incident, the RCMP received a complaint of a possible impaired driver. They located the vehicle which also matched the description of the vehicle involved in the hit and run.
“I would really like to see the city put some sidewalks in, or a couple of stop signs along that street,” added Schenker.
The RCMP are investigating and ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information regarding it call the Castlegar detachment at 250-365-7721.