A 14-year-old girl was killed in a collision involving a dump truck in Burnaby on Thursday, RCMP said.
Burnaby RCMP said officers were called to a collision involving a pedestrian and a commercial vehicle in the 7100-block of 11th Avenue shortly before 3:30 p.m.
The vehicle, a dump truck with a dump trailer, could be seen cordoned off behind police tape at the scene.
Police said the driver of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperating with investigators.
We understand a tragic incident like this will be felt widely throughout the community. Burnaby RCMP is looking at ways to support those impacted by this tragic death,
Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Brett Cunningham said in a media release.
Our Victim Services Unit is also engaged and offering support to those affected.
One person who lives nearby said she was not surprised by the tragedy.
“I didn’t see this accident, but it’s been a long time coming,” said Stacy Wallwork. “This construction site has had a lot of reckless drivers. I’ve been emailing the city, I’ve talked to the RCMP, I’ve talked to bylaws in Burnaby and nobody has really done anything to make it any safer.”
She said the city did add some extra signage and barricades in the area in the wake of her complaints, but believes that has only diverted the commercial drivers off of certain streets and not slowed them down.
Wallwork also said her own car has been hit near the scene of Thursday’s crash and she worries about her kids walking to school through the area.
“Just knowing that I let my own son walk down there by himself before,” said Wallwork, fighting through tears. “He’s getting to an age where he wants his own independence and maybe I can’t be feeling safe to do that.”
Police do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in this crash.
The Burnaby RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team is working to determine what led up to it.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has video shot in the area of 11th Avenue between 18th Street and 15th Street between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. is urged to contact police.