WATCH: A candlelight vigil was held for a 16-year-old who was killed in a hit and run accident while on a motorcycle. Darlene Heidemann reports.
VANCOUVER – Friends and family gathered in Holland Park to honour the memory of Kevin Dhillon, a 16-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Surrey Tuesday night.
It happened around 11 p.m. at 96 Avenue and 123 A Street. Several witnesses told police they saw a silver Honda Accord with a demonstration plate D5 9840 travelling eastbound on 96 Avenue in the fast lane, signalling to turn left to go north on 123A Street. At that time, the motorcycle, travelling westbound on 96 Avenue through the intersection, collided with the Honda when the driver turned left in front of the motorcycle.
Police say the driver of the car kept travelling north on 123A Street for one block before abandoning the car and fleeing on foot.
The 16-year-old motorcycle rider died of his injuries in hospital.
“I heard the motorcycle going by, pretty good rate of speed I would think and wasn’t more than maybe a second or two after that he went by, that I heard this immense impact,” says Leonard Staley, who witnessed the accident. “Just a huge impact.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Dhillon’s Vigil on Wednesday evening
The Honda Driver has not yet come forward. Police say they have now identified a person of interest and they are doing all they can to find him, saying it is only a matter of time and they will gather evidence to prove who was behind the wheel. Mourners at tonight’s vigil said the driver should step up.
“Obviously, the vehicle and documents left behind provides our officers with physical evidence that will be crucial as we commence our investigation,” says Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet. “Once again, by leaving the scene of an accident, a driver has elevated a motor vehicle act investigation to a criminal matter and will have to suffer the consequences of that decision.”
The makeshift memorial for Dhillon grew at the site of the crash all afternoon.
Some told Global News they can’t believe that this would happen to such a nice young man.
“It is unbelievable. He was only 17. He was such a charming person. It should not have happened,” said victim’s friend Mina Kulkami.
“To see someone that young pass away like that. What a coward to run away from the scene. He should have stayed,” said victim’s friend Gufram Mohammad.
They say the driver seemed to be in his mid 40’s and was wearing a black jacket.
The Surrey RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) is investigating with the assistance of the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS). Traffic was shut down for several hours but has since been re-opened.
Anyone with further information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
PHOTO GALLERY: Growing makeshift memorial at the site of the hit-and-run
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