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3rd pedestrian hit in 4 days at Burnaby crosswalk was a hit-and-run: Mounties

Click to play video: 'Cariboo Drive hit and run'
Cariboo Drive hit and run
WATCH: Police are searching for the driver responsible for a hit and run in Burnaby. It happened along the same stretch of road that's been the scene of two other accidents this week. Tanya Beja has more – Jan 22, 2018

Burnaby RCMP say a collision involving a pedestrian at a marked crosswalk on Cariboo Road near the Highway 1 overpass on Saturday night was a hit-and-run.

It was the third time a pedestrian in the crosswalk has been struck since Wednesday. The first collision claimed the life of a 15-year-old international student.

READ MORE: 15-year-old girl dies after being hit by a car in Burnaby

The most recent collision happened on Saturday, around 5:30 p.m. Mounties said the victim was taken to hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

Police are now looking for a black Dodge Charger, which may have damage to the front passenger side.

Friends have identified the victim as Amancio Hernandez, and say he sustained fractures to his face, ribs, pelvis, knee and hand.

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They say Hernandez will be out of work for several months, and have started an online fundraiser for his recovery.

The crosswalk is in a busy area, flanked by two churches, a bus stop and a housing co-op, and residents concerned with safety have been calling for a pedestrian controlled traffic light for more than a year.

A petition calling on the city to make improvements has attracted about 3,500 signatures.

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said he is concerned about the recent crashes and aware that there are significant problems at the intersection.

He said in response to a request for a light at the intersection, Burnaby city staff produced a report last year with recommendations to make the crossing safer.

But he said the city’s safety committee ultimately ruled that a light wasn’t warranted for that location.

Corrigan said the city is now reviewing the situation again — but that he’s not going to rush to judgement.

“I am not simply going to be reactive, I’m not in the same position that the media is to immediately react to a situation, as that we have to go through a very careful process, consideration as to what the best options are,” he said.

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WATCH: Pedestrian accident on Cariboo Rd.

Click to play video: 'Second pedestrian accident on Cariboo Road in just over 24 hours'
Second pedestrian accident on Cariboo Road in just over 24 hours

“I don’t know that even if there is a traffic light, that that’s going to ensure that there aren’t going to be accidents at that location.”

The issue will go back before the safety committee on Tuesday, Corrigan said.

Anyone with information about Saturday’s hit and run collision is asked to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 and ask to speak with Burnaby Traffic Services or contact Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

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