Burnaby RCMP would like to speak to the pedestrian witnesses of a dangerous-driving incident that could have ended badly in a local intersection.
A video – posted below – shows two pedestrians who were nearly mowed down by a fleeing driver.
On Saturday, Jan. 16, at 1:15 p.m., a Burnaby RCMP Traffic Section officer initiated a traffic stop on Kingsway at Salisbury Avenue after noting the vehicle was associated to an unlicensed driver, said a police news release. The vehicle initially came to a stop, but then “rapidly and dangerously accelerated away once police exited their vehicle,” according to police. “In the interest of public safety, the officer did not follow.”
The vehicle, a red Caravan, was captured on dash-cam video a few blocks down the road driving through a red light at a high rate of speed without stopping or even slowing down. The light had been red for approximately seven seconds when the caravan entered the intersection.
There were two pedestrians in the crosswalk when the vehicle sped by. Burnaby RCMP would like to speak to these two individuals.
Police are pursuing criminal charges, including flight from police and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing.
“It’s extremely important to be aware of your surroundings, especially as a pedestrian,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj of the Burnaby RCMP. “Had the timing been a little different, this could have been a very tragic event.”
Burnaby RCMP is asking if you are a pedestrian in the video or you can identify the pedestrians in the video to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.
