Pedestrian dead in Vancouver after Downtown Eastside crash

A pedestrian is dead after a crash sent a vehicle onto the sidewalk and into the side of a building in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Thursday.

It happened just before 11 a.m. in the area of Hastings and Columbia streets.

Vancouver police say two cars collided in the intersection, resulting in one of them “jumping the curb and striking a pedestrian.”

“Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, the pedestrian died at the collision scene,” the VPD said in a release, adding both drivers stayed at the scene.

BC Emergency Health Services confirms to CityNews it received reports of a a crash in the area at 10:54 a.m.

“A Low Acuity Response Unit that was in the vicinity of the incident responded, along with 3 ambulances and a paramedic supervisor. No patients were transported to hospital,” BCEHS said in an email.

Images from the scene show a vehicle into the front of a convenience store along Hastings Street. The scene is surrounded by emergency vehicles, as well as a white tent.

“City engineers have been called to the building to see about any structural damage to the building,” added Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Assistant Fire Chief Chris Gill.

Meanwhile, police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage of the incident to contact the VPD at 604-717-3012.