A young girl is fighting for her life in hospital after she was struck and thrown by an SUV on her way to school in Saanich Wednesday morning.
The girl had left her grandparents' house at around 8:15 a.m. and was crossing Ash Road at Torquay Drive when it happened.
Crash investigators believe she was in a crosswalk when she was struck and thrown by the eastbound SUV.
She was thrown into the path of another car and investigators are trying to determine whether that vehicle hit her as well.
"This car hit her. I hope she is alive," said the girl's grandfather, Andy Bui, before breaking into sobs.
Paramedics rushed her to emergency at Victoria General Hospital in serious condition. As of late afternoon Wednesday, officials said she was continuing to fight for her life in hospital.
"Whenever any person gets hit by a car, it's potentially serious," said Sgt. Allan Gurzinsky. "Normal traffic speeds on a road like this, at 50 kilometres an hour, you've got a 50-50 chance of surviving."
The incident closed Ash Road from Majestic Drive to Tyndall Avenue as investigators combed over the scene.
Drivers in both vehicles involved were taken to the Saanich police detachment, and investigators say there's no indication speed or alcohol were factors.
The crossing itself has fallen under the microscope in the wake of the crash.
Some say leaning trees need to be trimmed or stop signs installed on a route where vehicle move quickly.
"We often find people are speeding on this street particularly," one neighbour told CTV News.
The victim's grandfather agreed, saying he'd like to four stop signs installed in the intersection and the speed limit lowered to 25 or 30 kilometres an hour.
The girl is a Grade 6 student at Arbutus Global Middle School. The school said in a letter to parents that it was providing counsellors for students who many need support.
Saanich police believe a little girl was in a cross walk when she was struck by an SUV this morning. She was rushed to Victoria General Hospital with serious injuries. Accident occurred at Torquay and Ash Rd. Family say she was walking to school. @SaanichPolice @CTVNewsVI pic.twitter.com/v41yEu86mx
— Scott Cunningham (@CTVNewsScott) December 20, 2017