Police in Summerland are considering charges of dangerous driving after a driver allegedly ran over a friend who was attempting to stop him from driving drunk on New Year’s Eve.
Const. James Grandy said in a press release that the incident occurred on Jan. 1 at 2 a.m. at a residence on Giants Head Rd. in Summerland.
“Initial investigation revealed the female resident had attempted to stop the man from driving away intoxicated, and as a result she was struck by his vehicle,” he said.
“The driver had been attending a get together at the same residence as the victim.”
Police said the 34-year-old man and female victim knew each other.
The injured woman was discovered laying on the driveway by her partner, who asked to remain anonymous.
“I found her face down on the driveway covered in blood; there was a lot of blood, and the first thing she said was she was going to die, and to take care of our daughter,” he said in a phone interview.
Roughly seven people were still at the residence at the time and contacted emergency services. The victim attended medical school and knew not to move.
“We were just praying with her and just trying to communicate with her and let her know that help was coming.”
An online fundraising campaign has been launched to assist the victim in her recovery.
It says the woman, who is the mother of a five-month-old daughter, suffered 10 broken ribs and two broken vertebrae.
The man said they’ve been friends with the accused driver for 15 years.