A 14-year-old Parksville girl was struck and injured after a vehicle jumped the curb while traveling on Highway 19A near the Paradise Mini Golf Resort in Parksville Thursday evening, Oceanside RCMP reported.
At 6:26 p.m., RCMP, Parksville Volunteer Fire Department and BC Ambulance Service personnel responded to a report that a vehicle struck a pedestrian.
Upon attendance, investigators learned that a 14-year-old female from Parksville was walking northbound on the sidewalk with her friend. Without warning, a northbound car left the roadway on the right side, hopped the curb, and struck the teen from behind, throwing her a short distance. The vehicle carried on and ran into a park bench.
The driver, a 52-year-old female from Qualicum Beach, claimed that the setting sun had affected her ability to see and she lost sight of the road. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors in this collision.
Fortunately, among the first at scene were two off-duty paramedics who were able to provide immediate and effective first aid to the victim, RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman reported.
The victim was rushed by ambulance to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. In respect of the family, the RCMP will not release further information on the nature of the injuries, Foreman said.
The investigation into the collision is ongoing and included the services of a Collision Analyst from the RCMP. Charges will be considered upon conclusion of the investigation.
— Submitted by RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman