BURNABY, B.C. — One of two Vancouver-area police officers injured in a hit-and-run crash has been released from hospital, but RCMP say the second faces a long recovery.
Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj provided an update on the case Tuesday, a day after the men were injured and a search began for the driver who ran them down.
"I don't actually have a man or woman for you," said Kalanj when asked if investigators knew any details about the driver of a Toyota Camry that has been recovered and confirmed stolen.
Kalanj repeated an appeal for surveillance video from the many businesses in the south Burnaby area where the hit-and-run occurred. Officers also want dashboard camera video from anyone who many have been driving near the scene Monday between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
"The side and back windows (of the car) are so tinted that at a quick glance, you can't even see if there's one or three people in there, man, woman, you can't tell," he said. "We are looking for footage that will give us a distinct look in the windshield so we can at least get a photo to send out."
The most seriously injured officer is from the RCMP, while the other is from Abbotsford police. Both were training with the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service when they were hit.
One of the police officers struck and injured by a vehicle while training yesterday has been released from hospital. Abbotsford Police Department's Cpl Aaron Courtney, a 15 year officer and 10 year member of the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Services
Unit, is now at home recovering with his family and friends.
This was an extremely serious collision, which could have resulted in significant injury or the death of these officers. However, we are relieved that the prognosis for both officers appears to be positive.
No service dogs were injured in the collision. This incident has shaken the police community, and we are grateful for the public’s overwhelming support.
The other vehicle believed to be involved in the collision has been recovered, and the driver responsible is being sought. We continue to ask anyone who may have witnessed this collision, or has information, dash-cam or CCTV footage to please call the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9511 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
