An East Vancouver father-of-two whose wife was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend is appealing to the driver to come forward.
Leonida Tumanda, 43, was killed Sunday night on her way home from work at the Edgewater Casino, leaving husband Nilo Tumanda to care for their two children.
Speaking to CTV News on Monday, the widower said he was still struggling to find the words to tell his four-year-old daughter about the tragedy.
“My older daughter, she knows already,” Tumanda said. “My problem is now my youngest one… I don’t know how to tell her about her mom.”
Police told Tumanda his wife was struck just steps away from home, in the intersection of East 43rd Avenue and Prince Edward Street.
The driver left the scene. Authorities have urged the individual to turn themselves in, something Tumanda said would help bring some peace to his grieving family.
“He or she must come forward and must take responsibility,” Tumanda said, adding that the driver “might have saved my wife’s life if they reported immediately.”
The father said authorities have promised to send social services to his home to help him break the news to his youngest child.
Leonida Tumanda was taken to hospital for treatment Sunday night, but eventually succumbed to severe internal injuries.
Members of the Vancouver Police Collision Investigation Unit are still working to determine the cause of the crash, which occurred in the middle of an intersection shortly after the victim stepped off a transit bus.
If she had been crossing the street eastbound, there is a stop sign for vehicles. If she had been crossing southbound, there isn’t.
Investigators believe the driver knew a pedestrian was struck, but may not have known the severity of Tumanda’s injuries.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the driver is asked to call the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-3012.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Shannon Paterson
