Police are investigating following the death of a 17-year-old pedestrian who was hit by a truck on the Trans-Canada Highwy in Duncan on Tuesday, May 6.
The collision took place at the Trunk Road intersection at approximately 8:40 p.m., RCMP said Wednesday morning.
Early evidence gathered at the scene indicated that a semi truck was travelling south on the Trans-Canada Highway when it hit the pedestrian.
The pedestrian was transported to hospital but succumbed to their injuries.
A traffic reconstructionist attended the scene to conduct a comprehensive examination and collect further evidence to advance the investigation.
Part of the investigation will be to determine the actions of the pedestrian and the semi-truck prior to the collision, said Corp. Alex Bérubé, RCMP spokesperson. However, at this point in the investigation, criminality is not thought to be a factor in this incident.
Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels confirmed that the pedestrian was a member of the First Nation.
She called for better options for pedestrians to cross the TCH in the busy highway corridor area.
“It is heartbreaking for our community to experience another Cowichan youth being fatally injured as a pedestrian in our community," Daniels said.
"I extend my deepest condolences to the family members, friends, peers, and teachers as they grieve this loss. Our cultural workers within the community are supporting the family and our counselling teams have been providing outreach to students and youth during this tragedy."
Daniels said that for many Cowichan Tribes' members, walking is their primary way to get to and from their daily activities.
"With vehicle traffic continuing to increase, we continue to need safer options for pedestrians through the highway corridor,” she said.
Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
