WATCH ABOVE: A family is looking for a driver who hit their son with his car and drove away. The 16-year-old was riding his bike when he was struck. Quinn Ohler reports.
EDMONTON — An Edmonton family is searching for answers after their 16-year-old son, who has autism, was struck by a vehicle that drove away Wednesday evening.
David Kwas, who celebrates his 17th birthday on Friday, was riding his bike by the Sobeys at 23 Avenue and 50 Street when he was struck. His dad, Don Kwas, was at home at the time and received a phone call from a friend saying they saw David walking his bike home.
“My wife, Dianne, and I jumped in the car and drove down 23 Avenue, which is right by our house, looking to try and find David,” Don explained Thursday night.
Unable to find him, the couple came home to find David had already walked the 20 blocks home.
“He was in the washroom trying to put bandages on all his scrapes, and telling us that he had crashed his bike,” said Don. “Initially, was really scared that he did something wrong.
“He was thinking that it was his fault and that he was in trouble.”
After making sure David was okay, Don and Diane went outside to check out the damage to his bike. The front wheel was very badly bent.
“It wasn’t like he maybe just ran into a curb or something small like that, but that something big had happened,” Don explained.
The couple took David back to scene and police had already arrived. Several witnesses told police they saw David get hit by a black car that left the scene.
“They told us that the driver didn’t even stop to see if David was okay, but hit him and when he saw that someone might be coming to look for his licence number, sped up to get away,” Don explained.
Don said there were several people on scene, including the police constables, who helped David after he was struck. He couldn’t thank those people enough.
“I can’t express how grateful we are to all the people who stepped up to help.”
David was a bit shaken up by the ordeal and suffered a few scrapes and bruises, but he was generally okay. David’s bike, on the other hand, is no longer rideable.
“He, I think, gets more freedom and independence from being able to go and ride his bike on his own than anything else that he does,” said Don.
The concerned father hopes the driver of the vehicle will do the right thing.
“Turn yourself in. Recognize that you made a mistake and step up and accept responsibility.”
Don said David will more than likely be getting a new bike for his birthday on Friday.
Edmonton police are investigating and ask anyone with information to contact them at 780-423-4567.
(*UPDATE: On Saturday, after a Special Olympics track meet, David was presented with a new bike supplied by United Cycle.)
With files from Quinn Ohler, Global News.
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