The father of a Kamloops teenager who was killed in a hit and run Friday night is speaking out, despite the almost overwhelming grief he and his family are going through.
“If you took the saddest you’ve ever been, and multiplied it by a million times, that’s what it felt like,” said Cameron Gatey, when recalling his reaction to hearing his daughter Jennifer had been fatally struck by an unknown driver who fled the scene.
READ MORE: Teenager killed in hit and run in Kamloops
A neighbour close to the scene heard the accident and called 911 immediately after finding Jennifer lying on the side of Pacific Way, but it was already too late.
Saturday would have been Jennifer’s 17th birthday, which made the timing of her death all the more tragic. Her father is pleading to the driver who killed his daughter to come forward.
“You know that you hit my daughter, and killed her and left her there,” said Gatey. “I can’t imagine a person that can do that. I can’t imagine what’s in their heart and head.
“Please do the right thing: turn yourself in.”
Kamloops RCMP say they don’t have a lead on any suspects, or even what type of vehicle was involved, despite earlier reports that it may have been a pickup truck. Police are canvassing the area and asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle that most likely has damage to the passenger side.
Update: Kamloops RCMP have released images of what they believe is a vehicle of interest. Police are now looking to speak to the owner of this dark-coloured Jeep-style vehicle. The vehicle in question is seen moving on the road in these images, and is not any of the vehicles seen parked in driveways. The vehicle in question was seen in the area where Jennifer Gatey was hit around the same time of night. Anyone with information regarding this vehicle or its owner is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP.
The Gateys’ neighbourhood of Aberdeen is tight-knit, and Jennifer was well-known around the community. Neighbours are also reeling, and are finding the driver’s actions difficult to comprehend.
“To drive away and let someone die by themselves is devastating,” said Ken Aberdeen, who lives in the area. “It’s incomprehensible to me.
The neighbour also appealed to the driver to make themselves known, if only for that person’s soul.
“You’re not going to have peace by hiding from this,” he said. “You’ve got to come forward and face the reality of what happened. You’ve got to give the family some peace as well. I can’t comprehend how they’re coping with this.”
For now, neighbours, friends and family are left to remember Jennifer’s life: that of a well-liked, energetic young woman.
“She was a wonderful, wonderful kid,” her father said. “She was smart, she was intelligent, she was athletic, she was fun-loving.
“I just can’t imagine the rest of my life without her.”
Kamloops RCMP are still asking for anyone with information that could be helpful to contact them immediately.
With files from Geoff Hastings
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