Victoria police investigating after old-growth logging protester hit by car during rally
Victoria police are investigating after an old-growth logging protester was hit by a car outside of the provincial law courts on Wednesday evening.
Police say the collision occurred around 6 p.m. when a group of activists were rallying outside of the law courts in the 600-block of Blanshard Street, with some on the sidewalk and some on the northbound lanes of the road.
Victoria police say the vehicle, which was travelling northbound on Blanshard Street, had just cleared the top of a hill with "low-visibility" when it crashed into a protester at a low speed.
Police spoke with the driver, the person struck, and nearby witnesses, and the police department says it does not believe there was any indication that the driver intentionally struck the person who moved into the roadway.
Investigators add that they are not aware of any prior conflict between the driver and the pedestrian before the crash occurred.
Police say the pedestrian was offered an ambulance but initially declined one. Soon after, the person requested an ambulance and was taken to hospital.
Activists with the Rainforest Flying Squad have differing accounts of the crash.
The group says the person who was hit by the car, Warren Kimmit, had stepped in front of an Indigenous Elder "whom he believed the car was aiming for."
He says he was able to push the senior, Rose Henry, also known as Grandma Losah, out of the way before the car hit him and he rolled onto the hood of the vehicle.
The Rainforest Flying Squad says a man who witnessed the crash, Zach Smith, saw the vehicle slowly approach the group of protesters before it "jerked to the right and accelerated" towards Henry and Kimmit.
Police say no one was arrested in connection to the incident.
Victoria police say the crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Victoria police at 250-995-7654.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.