Surrey family left with injuries after car crashes into driveway
Posted July 10, 2023 7:30 pm.
Last Updated July 11, 2023 9:31 am.
A Surrey family says they’re still shaken up after a car crashed into their driveway, leaving some people injured and concerned about safety in the neighbourhood.
In an interview with OMNI News, Jatinder Mann says her mother, sister, and sister-in-law were all hurt in the incident over the Canada Day long weekend.
The family was sitting on a bench when a speeding car crashed into another car that was parked in front of them, pinning the three people between the garage and the car.
Mann says her four-year-old son was riding his bike in the same spot just moments before, adding it is a miracle her 70-year-old mother is alive. Mann says her mother has cuts and bruises on her legs and thighs and is using a wheelchair until she recovers.
The other two women were also left with gashes and bruises.
A Surrey family says they’re still shaken up after a car crashed into their driveway, leaving some family members injured and concerned about safety in the neighbourhood. (Submitted by: Jatinder Mann)
“My son watched the whole thing and has trauma … when I came my mom and sister-in-law were in an ambulance, and they took my other sister to the hospital because she was in critical condition at the time,” she said, adding the family is still very shaken up by what happened.
The crash left the house with a crushed garage door.
Video shows someone getting out of the car and walking away shortly after the crash. In a statement to CityNews, the Surrey RCMP says officers believe distracted driving was a factor, adding the driver was given a ticket.
“Once on scene, officers determined a white Nissan Altima had struck a grey Hyundai Elantra which in turn struck three people who were sitting in front of the Elantra,” a statement from the RCMP reads.
“Officers conducted a thorough investigation and impairment was ruled out; distracted driving was believed to have been the cause. The driver of the Nissan Altima was served a Violation Ticket for S. 144 (1)(b) MVA – Driving without Consideration.”
Mann says they’re struggling to navigate ICBC and can’t find a laywer willing to take on the public insurer.
She’s also pointing out a bizarre exchange with the responding officers. Mann says they threatened to arrest her husband and brother when they started asking questions about the driver.
“The way they handled the situation, we were in shock. We were the victims. We were not allowed to ask any questions,” she explained. “We asked if they did any test on the driver and we’re not sure if they did or not, but they said, ‘Yes… it came back negative. And we gave him the ticket and we’re going to take his license away.’ We’re not sure if they did or not.”
Mann admits they feel helpless as they try to piece their lives back together.
“We are so disappointed with the RCMP,” she said.
“Eight to nine kids play in the cul-de-sac daily, and now my son is saying things like ‘Mama, I don’t want to go outside.'”
Mann says her mother and sister are stuck in bed as they heal from their injuries.
-With files from Hana Mae Nassar
