A 16-year-old who was struck by a vehicle in north Nanaimo has died.
The girl was hit by a truck while jaywalking at the intersection of Mary Ellen Drive and the Island Highway Sept. 20 at about 8:15 p.m.
According to police, the driver of a GMC pickup was northbound in the right-hand lane on the Island Highway and when he neared the intersection a the girl ran across the south-east crosswalk against a red light.
Witnesses told police the impact propelled the girl about 20 metres through air and she landed in the north-east crosswalk. Her friend immediately pulled her off the roadway and witnesses provided first aid along with an off duty nurse and police officers until paramedics arrived.
The victim was rushed to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, but her condition deteriorated over night and she was airlift to B.C. Children’s Hospital the following morning. She died in hospital Saturday.
Police reported the pickup truck’s driver was shaken by the incident, but otherwise uninjured.
Police had determined at the time that speed and alcohol did not appear to be contributing factors in the accident.
The RCMP have now turned the investigation over to the B.C. Coroners Service.