Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said two Burnaby RCMP officers had been injured. In fact, one of the officers is an RCMP member and one is a member of the Abbotsford police.
Investigators have recovered the vehicle believed to be involved in a hit-and-run that seriously injured two police officers, but the driver remains at large.
Burnaby RCMP said the collision happened just before noon in the 5000-block of North Fraser Way.
The officers were both members of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, one of them an RCMP member and one a member of the Abbotsford Police Department.
According to police, the suspect vehicle had been reported as a possible drunk driver not long before the crash.
“Just prior to the collision … a call came in of a possible impaired driver. So a Burnaby RCMP member came to the area, located the vehicle,” said Cpl. Michael Kalanj.
“Before they could engage the suspect vehicle it fled. It’s a white later-model Toyota Camry with very distinct tinted windows.”
Kalanj said the vehicle sped off into oncoming traffic, and officers believed it was too dangerous to pursue.
Shortly afterward, the suspect vehicle sped into the area where the K9 officers were training their dogs, and struck a police vehicle, injuring the two officers.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) said it transported patients to hospital, who were initially listed as in critical condition.
However, Abbotsford Police Chief Mike Serr took to Twitter Monday afternoon to say that the officer from his department was expected to be released from hospital Monday evening.
Mounties said Tuesday that the injured RCMP officer remains in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
“Pleased to report that our #AbbyPD member injured in today’s hit & run is expected to be released from the hospital tonight. No broken bones but he will be very sore. Our thoughts are will the @BCRCMP member injured & hoping for a full & speedy recovery,” Serr wrote.
Police recovered the suspect vehicle several blocks from the crash scene near Keith Street and Ivy Avenue.
Kalanj said the vehicle had been reported stolen, and investigators are still looking for whoever was behind the wheel.
Police are also looking to speak with witnesses and collect dash cam video from anyone who was in the area between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“They were really badly hurt,” said witness Roberto Farinha.
Farinha said police dog squads routinely practice in the area, and were doing so on Monday morning when the collision took place.
WATCH: Two officers in critical condition following hit-and-run
He said there were two police vehicles and several officers in the road when he heard a siren go off, and what he believes was a vehicle flash between one of the police vehicles and a semi truck.
“I saw a white flash and then literally the one officer went flying in the air. He flew 15-feet from the door of the side of the dog cage,” said Farinha.
“Two were down. One stayed to try and assist, and one shot across to get into the Suburban, and then he turned around and took off.”
WATCH: Roberto Farinha was witness to the hit-and-run accident that has left 2 RCMP officers in critical condition. He details what he saw.
RCMP closed a section of North Fraser Way between Glenlyon Parkway and Byrne Road to investigate.
RCMP said they do not have a description of the suspect.
TransLink has also detoured buses in the area.
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