A collision that sent one car into a bus bench in South Surrey Wednesday afternoon narrowly missed a young mom, her 20-month-old son and at least one man who'd been seated waiting for the bus.
The crash occurred around 4 p.m. Oct. 10, at the intersection of 24 Avenue and 160 Street.
According to police, it happened when the 45-year-old driver of a black Mercedes sedan that was westbound on 24 Avenue changed her mind about turning north on 160 Street and drove into the path of an eastbound white Dodge Caravan that was turning north onto 160 Street at the same time.
"At the last minute, she changes her mind," Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet said. "When the Mercedes (driver) changed her mind and hit the accelerator, she hit the van that was now turning in front of her."
The Mercedes, with damage to its driver's side, came to rest on the sidewalk of 24 Avenue, after plowing into a bus-stop bench on the road's north side. The impact ripped the bench out of its footings and onto its back.
One witness told Peace Arch News that a man who had been seated on the bench immediately prior to the collision was able to get out of the way before impact.
"He was lucky – he ran," the witness said.
Moments later, that same man got on the next bus.
The Mercedes also narrowly missed Belle Saunders and her son, Jayden, who had been crossing 160 Street when the chaos unfolded.
Saunders said she heard a bang and turned in time to see the black Mercedes whip past her on the sidewalk, with about a foot of space to spare.
"She almost went over me," a shaken Saunders said. "I was just shocked."
Paquet said it is possible driver error – hitting the accelerator rather than the brake – contributed to the Mercedes ending up on the sidewalk rather than stopping immediately after the collision.
It was "truly fortunate" no one was injured, he said.
Investigation is ongoing.