Driver sought in hit-and-run death of 90-year-old woman

The death of a 90-year-old woman in a hit-and-run on Saturday has been devastating to those living in the rural community of Cedar, south of Nanaimo, says a resident.

Janine Talkington did not want to give the woman’s name, but said she was well-known in the community and often came by her store at Blue Tractor Farm. “She was a wonderful lady, a really nice lady.”

Police are asking the public to help identify the driver and vehicle involved in the hit-andrun on Cedar Road near Bennie Road, in the vicinity of Quennell Lake.

A motorist reported seeing a woman lying on Cedar Road to Nanaimo RCMP shortly before 9 p.m.

Despite efforts by bystanders and emergency responders, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

It’s “sickening” for someone who had reached the victim’s age to die in such a way, Talkington said.

Cedar Road was closed for several hours as officers investigated.

Talkington said she doesn’t know if speed was a factor in what happened, but noted the speed that some people travel in the area where the woman was hit is “absolutely outrageous” — and it has become a “hotspot” for crashes.

She said she believes the maximum speed is 60 kilometres per hour but there are no signs for many kilometres.

“People pass each other doing like 110, right past our parking lot.

“It’s just nuts. There’s kids around all the time, and animals.”

There have been several crashes in the area, including a couple that were fatal, in recent years, Talkington said.

Police are asking motorists who were in the area between 8 and 8:45 p.m. on Saturday to check their dash-cam video.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.