Williams Lake, B.C. is in mourning after a young woman was killed and her friend sent to hospital in critical condition after a hit-and-run involving an alleged drunk driver this weekend.
Rayel MacDonald, 20, and her 19-year-old friend Alysha Mullett were walking home together after a dance early Sunday morning when they were struck by an older model pickup truck. The driver fled the scene.
MacDonald died at the scene and Mullett was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
On Monday, friends of the two victims were struggling to cope with their loss. Marina Campsall told CTV News that she was still trying to process the news.
"A lot of stuff like drunk driving and stuff happens here, which is unfortunate, but you never think it will happen to you or your friends," she said.
"It's a tragedy for the whole community. Rayel was really young -- she was just starting her life. She's going to be missed by everybody."
MacDonald and Mullett attended university together and were studying to become nurses.
Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook knew both victims, and said the crash has hit the community hard.
"People are in shock. I know there's going to be a lot of support and rallying around the family -- both families -- as we walk through this," Cook said.
A suspect in the fatal crash was pulled over for erratic driving a short distance from the scene. Martin William Michael Gentles, 23, has now been charged with impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm. He was also handed a 90-day driving ban and is scheduled to appear in court next month.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro
