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After recent crashes, Burnaby RCMP issue urgent plea for safe driving

Incidents include an early morning crash on Saturday, Dec. 21, that killed two.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer

After multiple recent traffic crashes, Burnaby RCMP are urging drivers to practice safe driving. 

On Dec. 11, a 64-year-old woman, identified to the NOW as local care aide Maria Espedido, was hit while walking across Canada Way by Burris Street at about 6:45 a.m. Espedido suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Eight days later, on Dec. 19, a 24-year-old woman was hit in the area of Union Street and Sperling Avenue at roughly 10:40 p.m. resulting in critical injuries. 

Then, on Saturday, Dec. 21, two people were killed and one injured after a two-car crash at Boundary Road and Forest Street just before 5 a.m.

One vehicle was travelling west on Forest Street when it was t-boned by a vehicle driving north on Boundary Road. 

"We are highlighting these additional incidents as they had the potential to lead to serious injuries or fatalities," Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Mike Kalanj said in a news release.

"We are urging everyone to take caution and care behind the wheel not just over the holiday season, but every day.

"This includes choosing a safe ride home and giving your undivided attention to the road when driving."

Mounties are also highlighting another incident on Nov. 27 when an officer was pulled over on Highway 1 between the Gaglardi and Kensington exits investigating a hit and run.

The officer was in his cruiser, which wasn't moving and had lights activated when the car was rear-ended by a pickup truck with police saying it appeared the vehicle made "no effort" to slow down. 

The officer was taken to hospital and is still off duty recovering from injuries. 

The driver was not believed to be impaired and Burnaby RCMP are still investigating which factors might have contributed to the incident. 

Between Dec. 12 and 13, Burnaby RCMP also took eight impaired drivers off the road, with police noting they are enhancing roadblocks during the holiday season. 

With files from Cornelia Naylor, Burnaby NOW