Gold-medal teen cyclist recovering after hit-and-run in Central Saanich
Teen recovering after collision with truck, but feeling like a ‘caged animal,’ dad says
Saanich police are looking for the driver of a pickup that struck a 14-year-old cyclist from behind on Willis Point Road on Friday.
Megan Barnes, a competitive cyclist, was taken to Victoria General Hospital after the collision. She has been released, but has been told to rest and avoid strenuous activity, with no cycling for a while, said her father, Darrell Barnes.
“Thankfully, she’s feeling better, but she’s feeling like a caged animal today,” he said Saturday, adding a CT scan revealed no evidence of a concussion.
“Megan still has a very sore left leg that she’s hobbling around on, and has minor scrapes on her backside.”
Saanich police say Megan was struck by the right side of the front bumper or passenger wheel well of a charcoal grey, newermodel Dodge Dakota with wooden sides on its box. She was training with a friend at the time.
Eyewitnesses told police that there might have been a brief interaction between the driver and the cyclist before the collision, which took place on Willis Point Road, just west of Wallace Drive, about 4 p.m.
The vehicle’s driver, described as a blond, possibly heavier-set female of average height, continued west on Willis Point Road without stopping, according to police.
Megan had just returned from the junior track national championships in Milton, Ont., where she won gold in the team pursuit event.
Lister Farrar, Megan’s Tripleshot Youth Team cycling coach, said the local cycling community was shocked to hear about what happened to the promising young athlete.
“Triathletes often train there,” he said. “It’s flat and wide and smooth and the sightlines are good. It’s not what you’d call a place you’d be particularly worried about.”
He said Megan, who has been participating in his training programs for three years, was on a long flat stretch between Wallace Road and the start of the climb.
“This isn’t just some crazy kid riding a bike,” he said, noting Megan has been identified by Cycling B.C. as one of the province’s most promising junior athletes.
“This is a kid who knows about precision and control and has the skills,” said Farrar, his voice quaking with emotion.
“My biggest worry is the effect this can have on kids and families,” he added. “She said she couldn’t remember anything, and maybe that’s a good thing.”
Saanich police ask anyone with information about the hit-and-run or the driver and vehicle involved to contact them at 250-475-4321, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).