Mounties are calling the death of a 20-year-old man was hit by a pickup truck on Highway 1 Tuesday night “an entirely preventable tragedy.”
Witnesses said the young man was walking along the highway with a group of friends near Hope late Tuesday night when he started running toward the grass median.
He had just reached the centre lane when a 2009 Chevrolet pickup swerved away from his friends and struck him, according to RCMP.
Cpl. Robert McDonald said alcohol appears to be a factor in the accident, but only on the part of the pedestrians.
“All four of them had been drinking and were walking along Highway 1 for an unknown reason,” McDonald said.
A doctor stopped to provide first aid but the young man couldn’t be saved. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The pickup driver remained at the accident site and is cooperating with police.
McDonald said the tragedy was preventable, and urged the public not to walk or hitchhike along the highway – an offence that can result in a $109 fine.
“Walking along Highway 1 is extremely dangerous at any time of day,” he said. “Not only is it dangerous, it’s illegal.”
Mounties haven’t released the deceased’s name.
