The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) reported that a senior citizen and two police officers sustained injuries after a driver allegedly crashed into multiple vehicles and drove on a sidewalk in the West End area of the city on Friday morning. The senior citizen is currently in critical condition at the hospital, while the two officers have also been hospitalized, as per a statement from VPD.
Authorities were alerted around 5:30 a.m. PT about a driver displaying erratic behavior near Comox and Broughton streets and the Nelson Park dog vicinity. According to VPD, witnesses in the vicinity had to quickly move out of the suspect’s path.
The driver’s vehicle collided with several objects and struck a senior citizen on a motorized scooter, police confirmed. The driver was eventually apprehended after crashing into a police vehicle that was en route to the scene, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles.
Following the collision, the driver was trapped in the vehicle but was later rescued by Vancouver Fire Rescue Services. The arrest took place near Comox and Bute streets with the assistance of multiple ambulances. VPD mentioned in their statement that mental health and substance abuse concerns are potential factors in the incident.