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Woman gravely injured in Surrey hit-and-run

Pedestrian clinging to life after being struck at 144 Street and 82A Avenue Monday night.
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Investigators at the scene of a hit and run near 144 Street and 82A Avenue Monday night.


A Surrey woman is clinging to life after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.

On Monday, just before 8 p.m. the 34-year-old woman was struck while crossing 144 Street near 82A Avenue.

The driver of the 2005 Honda Accord fled the scene.

It wasn't until passers-by saw her lying in the middle of the road that someone called for help.

She was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital where she remains in critical condition, with severe trauma to her head, back and neck, and internal injuries.

Two hours after the accident, a 49-year-old driver from Coquitlam turned himself in to police.

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet said it's just the latest in a troubling trend of hit-and-runs.

"We've seen a rise lately in accidents involving drivers choosing not to remain at the scene," Paquet said.

In this case, the woman may have been doing better if the driver had taken the time to call an ambulance.

"There's no reason you can't pull over to the side of the road and call 911," Paquet said. "At the very least, someone is in need of medical assistance – time is of the essence – the first thing you need to do is call 911 to activate medical personnel."

He said it's too early to say whether the fact the man turned himself in will have any effect on the charges that are recommended.

Bottom line, Paquet said, is when a driver chooses to leave the scene of an accident, it's no longer a ticketing offence, but a criminal investigation.

"And with that comes the consequences of criminal charges," Paquet said.

@diakiw