VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Charges are being recommended after a 16-year-old girl from Mission was handcuffed early Saturday morning following an apparent hit and run in Vancouver’s downtown core.
Investigators say at about 3:20 a.m. they were called out to reports of a white van in the area of East 12th Avenue and Victoria drive that hit two people. Then about 15 minutes later, some officers on the Downtown Eastside saw the same van driving erratically through the area.
“When they tried to pull the vehicle over using emergency lights and sirens, the driver allegedly sped up and refused to pull over for several blocks. Out of concern for public safety, attempts to stop the van were abandoned,” says Constable Jason Doucette.
“The police have a duty to apprehend offenders, but there are times when the risk of harm to the public may be too great. Protecting the public is the VPD’s primary concern and in this particular situation, our officers determined it was likely safer for everyone involved, and more appropriate at the time, to abandon their attempts to immediately apprehend the driver. Just because a person doesn’t get arrested immediately following an offence, our officers will continue their investigation and make attempts to arrest those involved at a later time.”
Just before 4 a.m., officers found the same van parked on East Hastings and Carrall Streets. They boxed it in and arrested the driver as she walked away. No one else was in the car.
Her actions prior to the hit and run and how she gained access to the van will make up part of the investigation. It’s unclear if the girl has a valid driver’s license, like an L.
Charges in connection to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle have been recommended against the teen and the van has been seized.
The two people struck in the hit and run have minor injuries.
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