Vancouver hit and run leaves woman hurt, dog dead

Police in Vancouver are on the lookout for an SUV they believe was involved in a hit and run that left a woman with minor injuries and a dog dead.

It happened just before 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 in the area of Garden Drive at East Pender Street.

Becca McMeekin and Michael Rush, Tobi’s owners, say the experience has been traumatic, and only gets worse every morning when Tobi is not there.

(CityNews Image)

“It’s been a nightmare,” McMeekin said through tears. “Waking up every morning and [Tobi] not being there.”

“I’m a very forgiving person but he left us here. He left Tobi there to die.”

Rush says the community has offered support to the pair after the death of Tobi.

“Tobi was a celebrity in our neighbourhood. We’ve heard from a lot of people who didn’t know us, but knew Tobi,” explained Rush.

(CityNews Image)

The VPD says McMeekin and her dog, Tobi, were crossing the intersection when a grey SUV turned left onto Pender and hit the pair.

“The vehicle made kind of a short turn into the crosswalk, hitting her dog, and making contact with her. It sounds like there was a brief pause in moment where they made eye contact and the driver simply drove off,” Const. Jason Doucette explained.

“The dog was pulled under the car — the dog was on a leash — and because of the momentum of the vehicle, [the woman] was actually pulled in and contact was made with the shoulder. It could have been a lot worse.”

Vancouver police say a dog is dead after a hit and run on Aug. 20. Pictured is Becca with her dog Tobi, a one-and-a-half-year-old Corgi-Pomeranian mix. (Courtesy Michael Rush)

The driver then left the scene toward Nanaimo Street, police add.

The VPD believes “there is no question” the driver knew they hit the dog and McMeekin.

“They are obviously very upset of the loss of their loved one, their pet. This dog was a year-and-a-half old, half Corgi-half Pomeranian. It was part of their life and they’re very sad,” Doucette told CityNews.

The vehicle police are looking for is described as a dark grey SUV, “likely a Jeep Patriot.”

“If you’re involved in a collision you’re obligated to stay at the scene and exchange some information — at the very least check on the people who could be injured,” Doucette said, adding charges can be considered.

Police in Vancouver are on the lookout for an SUV they believe was involved in a hit and run that left a woman with minor injuries and a dog dead on Aug. 20. (Courtesy VPD)

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the VPD’s Hit and Run Section at 604.717.6846 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.4477.

-With files from Sonia Aslam