Polce say the suspect identified in a fatal hit-and-run crash over the weekend in an unincorporated community east of Terrace, B.C., has fled the country
Terrace RCMP say a witness found a man early Sunday who had been struck by a vehicle at Old Lakelse Lake Drive near Clark Street in the community of Thornhill.
The man was declared dead at the scene and police believe he was struck between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. PT.
Terrace RCMP say evidence suggests the suspect’s vehicle was owned by a local taxi company. Police say they have identified the driver, who has since left Canada.
Family have identified the victim as Brian Adams, 57, a member of the Nisga’a and Kitselas First Nations who lived in the Kitselas community of Gitaus. They said he had coming home from a family celebration when it happened.
Adams’ son-in-law Jeremy Walker says his father-in-law was a fisheries technician for Nisga’a Fisheries for two decades.
A statement from Adams’ stepdaughter Maria Duncan thanked RCMP and the community for their support.
“The outpouring of love and support has been amazing,” the statement reads. “He was a loved member of our family and community. He will be dearly missed.”
Police say the taxi company is fully co-operating with the investigation
Terrace RCMP are working with the the B.C. Prosecution Service on charge assessment.