Suspect at large after 2 police officers struck in Burnaby hit-and-run
RCMP officer believed to be seriously injured; Abbotsford police officer to be released from hospital
Police are searching for a suspect after a hit and run in Burnaby that sent two police officers to hospital with non-life threatening injuries on Monday.
Burnaby RCMP said the collision happened just before noon near the 5000-block of North Fraser Way.
Cpl. Michael Kalanj said the two officers, who are members of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, were struck by a driver in a white late-model Toyota Camry. The vehicle had been reported stolen.
Possible impaired driver
Kalanj said police had received a report about a possible impaired driver in the vehicle just prior to the collision.
When a Burnaby RCMP officer responding to the call located the vehicle, the suspect fled.
Police found the trashed vehicle in a nearby industrial area near Keith Street and Ivy Avenue about an hour later.
Kalanj said the two police officers had been standing outside their police vehicle training their dogs when they were hit.
One of the injured officers is an RCMP member from outside Burnaby. The other is an officer from the Abbotsford Police Department.
Both men are currently being treated in hospital.
Sgt. Judy Bird of the Abbotsford Police Department said the Abbotsford police officer is expected to be released from hospital Monday night.
"He is sore but we are pleased that he has no broken bones," Bird said. "Our thoughts are with the RCMP, and we hope that both officers have a speedy recovery."
Pleased to report that our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbbyPD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbbyPD</a> member injured in today's hit & run is expected to be released from the hospital tonight. No broken bones but he will be very sore. Our thoughts are will the <a href="https://twitter.com/BCRCMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCRCMP</a> member injured & hoping for a full & speedy recovery. <a href="https://twitter.com/BurnabyRCMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BurnabyRCMP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPDS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPDS</a>
—@ChiefSerrWitness account
Roberto Farinah, who works in the area, said he heard a siren go off and saw a white flash, which he believes was a car accelerating through at a very high speed.
Farinah said he called 911 then went outside to help, saying the officers looked to be "critically injured."
"Two were down, one stayed to try to assist," he said.
Police are hoping to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision.Witnesses are asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9511.