Ryan Barron identified as skateboarder in hit-and-run fatality

Friends and an employer have confirmed to CBC News that Ryan Barron is the skateboarder killed after a hit and run in Vancouver early Sunday morning.

"He's got a big heart, he's really, really nice, nothing was too much for him, he was always willing to go the extra mile," said Vince Man, his employer at HBI Canada. "Always looking out for people."

Vancouver Police say the man was skateboarding with his friend near Heather Street and West 52nd Avenue, when he was hit by a car around 3 a.m. PT

"Unfortunately the driver of the vehicle did leave the scene; didn't stop to render any assistance to the man that was left severely injured in the road," said Sgt. Randy Fincham.

"It is shocking, especially since this is sort of a quiet neighbourhood," said Ernest Ng, who lives right in front of where the collision occurred.  "Quickly I rushed out, I realized it's a 911 situation, so I rushed in to call 911."

Ng also saw Barron's companion attempting to provide first aid before first responders arrived.

The skateboarder — originally from Windsor, Ont. — later died as a result of his injuries. Friends say he had recently turned 30 and had also been promoted at his job on Friday.

"He was happy because he said he had finally caught a break," said Man.

On Sunday, Man, came to the scene of the accident to pay his respects along with other acquaintances. 

"You hear this, it just doesn't make any sense," he said. "You see something like this and you lose someone so special, it's hard to grasp it."

Man said that Barron lived in the area and believes he took the route on his skateboard because he felt it was safe, meanwhile other neighbours told CBC that cars are often seen speeding through the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile police say they are looking for a silver Mitsubishi car.

"It does have fresh damage to the driver's side, front driver's side of that vehicle and we do believe that was the vehicle involved in the fatal collision," said Fincham.

Police say they have collected a significant amount of physical evidence including images from cameras outside homes in the area.

with files from Meera Bains