Impaired driver causes serious injuries to pedestrian

The Prince Rupert RCMP would like to inform the public of an ongoing investigation involving a pedestrian being struck and seriously injured by a vehicle.

The event occurred in the early morning of March 4th, 2023, initial reports from witnesses stated that a red Toyota Tacoma struck a pedestrian on Mcbride St near 5th Ave E. Front line officers as well as Emergency Health Services (EHS) rushed to the scene where they located 33-year-old man with serious injuries.

A primary witness to the incident identified the truck as well as the driver, who did not stay at the scene of the accident. When officers made contact with the driver they suspected he was impaired by alcohol, the man provided breath samples which were almost three times the legal limit. The man is currently being held in custody and his name will not be released at this time.

"As a result of the seriousness of the investigation Mcbride St will be closed for the foreseeable future, and we are asking for people to avoid the intersection of Mcbride and 5th Ave E," Media Relations Officer Cst. Brody Hemrich said, "we are also asking that anyone that may have witnessed the collision, has dash camera footage or other CCTV footage to come forward and contact police immediately."

Cst. Hemrich continued to say, "the seriousness of this collision is another reminder of how dangerous driving while impaired is, whether that impairment is caused by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. The RCMP is reminding everyone to make alternative arrangements whenever they drink, take any drug, or are too tired to drive, so that everyone can make it home safe."

If you have any information regarding this incident please call the Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-624-2136.