SURREY — A 53-year-old father is now paralyzed and will likely never walk again, police say, following a crash last Tuesday night.
The dad and his 10-year-old son were taken to hospital in critical condition after being hit by one car, and then T-boned by another. The boy, now back to school, is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries. Police have not released their names.
The pair was driving west on Fraser Highway when their Saturn was rear-ended by a driver in a Hyundai Sante Fe SUV that forced their vehicle into oncoming traffic.
The carnage began around 9 p.m. last Tuesday (Jan. 27) when the 2013 SUV travelling westbound along Fraser Highway rear-ended a vehicle in the 18400-block of Fraser Highway, but kept driving.
The SUV then rear-ended another vehicle on Fraser Highway, just east of 176th Street, then hit another vehicle in the 15200-block of Fraser Highway, and again, kept driving.
Finally, the father and son were struck. The suspect driver rear-ended their Saturn near 145th Street, forcing the vehicle into oncoming traffic when it was struck by a Toyota Tacoma travelling east.
Police say the suspect driver, a 50-year-old man, lost control of his vehicle after striking the Saturn and veered into a ditch.
The 26-year-old woman driving the Toyota Tacoma was taken to hospital with a broken arm and wrist, and now requires surgery for her injuries. The victims of the first two rear-enders were not harmed.
The driver who allegedly caused the accidents was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and then spent the night in the lock-up. He refused to take a breathalyzer test.
Police believe alcohol and speed may have been contributing factors in the crashes.
Meanwhile, the driver believed to be responsible for the slew of rear-enders, is no longer in custody and has yet to be charged. He will likely face charges relating to driving causing bodily harm and is being investigated for impaired driving, according to RCMP.
Police are now looking for the second victim car, described as a dark-coloured vehicle, similar to a Honda or Hyundai, that was hit near 176th Street, for more information.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact CCIT at 604-599-0502 quoting file # 2015-13251.