A woman who was struck by a car while trying to run across Highway 1 in Coquitlam Tuesday night is fighting for her life.
Police say a woman in her mid-30s ran across a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near the King Edward overpass just after 9:30 p.m.
It is believed she may be an alleged shoplifter, who was trying to flee from a nearby Real Canadian Superstore.
The woman has been identified and is currently in hospital after suffering critical, life-threatening injuries.
Investigators say there was another woman involved, also believed to have been involved in the theft. She managed to cross the highway and has not been located by police yet. Officers are looking to speak with her about the incident.
The driver involved and several witnesses remained on the scene and are cooperating with investigators.
Police say incidents where suspects bolt across a highway to evade an arrest are rare.
In a statement to Global News, Loblaws – a company that owns Real Canadian Superstore – said, it would be inappropriate for it to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Our first concern is the health of the woman who was struck. Our thoughts are with her, her family, and others involved in this very sad incident. Our company has established shoplifting protocols to protect our customers and colleagues, as well as the safety of shoplifting suspects. We are collaborating fully with police, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Port Mann Traffic Services at 604-526-9744 and quote police file 2015-2607.
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