Five vehicles involved in hit and run collision

Police are trying to locate a suspect after a chain reaction hit and run collision that involved five vehicles in Kelowna.

On Thursday (Oct. 8) just after 6:30 p.m., a Kelowna RCMP officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop with a black Chevrolet Malibu on Harvey Avenue. The suspect vehicle failed to stop for the officer and fled onto Water Street. Given the dangerous manner in which the vehicle was being driven, the police officer did not pursue. The suspect vehicle was last seen heading down Leon Avenue at a high rate of speed.

The suspect vehicle collided with a Ford F150 pickup truck at the intersection of Bertram Street and Leon Avenue. The force of the impact caused the Malibu to further collide with several parked vehicles and a light standard. The driver and sole occupant of the Malibu fled the scene on foot.

Officers arrived on the scene soon after the crash and immediately rendered assistance to the driver and passenger of the F150 pickup. Fortunately the man and woman, who had been visiting Kelowna from the West Kootenays, were relatively uninjured.

An extensive search of the area was conducted, however the hit and run suspect was not located.

RCMP has seized the suspect vehicle, which was towed from the scene and remains part of the ongoing criminal investigation.

“This driver unnecessarily put everyone in the area at risk with his dangerous behaviour,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy, spokeswoman for the Kelowna RCMP. “Looking at the amount of damage caused to the vehicles involved, it is extremely fortunate that no one was seriously injured or even killed in this collision.”

RCMP is appealing to anyone who may have dash camera footage or video surveillance footage, of the area which shows the suspect vehicle prior to the crash, during the crash or captures the suspect fleeing on foot following the collision to come forward.

If you witnessed this hit and run crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-250-762-3300. Or remain completely anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net