Teen victim of B.C. Halal Fest hit-and-run still recovering

Life hasn’t been the same for a 14-year-old boy and his family since he was injured in a hit-and-run in Surrey just over two weeks ago.

Abdirahman Mohammed was leaving the BC Halal Food Fest at Holland Park late on Sunday, June 22, when he was struck by the driver of a car at the intersection of Old Yale Road and Mall Access.

The Surrey Police Service says just after 10 p.m., officers were called to reports of the collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.

“Officers arrived to find that a 14-year-old boy had been struck by a vehicle that had fled the scene. The boy was transported to hospital by BCEHS with non-life-threatening injuries,” Staff Sgt. Lindsey Housing said the next day.

“The vehicle was later found driving near 104 Avenue and Whalley Boulevard at approximately 2:15 am. The driver was arrested for both impaired driving and failing to remain at the scene of a collision,” he added.

But for Mohammed, “non-life-threatening injuries” meant he suffered a concussion, a broken pelvis and hand, and a brain injury.

“I don’t remember too good,” said Mohammed. “I just remember I’m walking. One time, I fly.”

He says he woke up in the hospital two days later.

His cousins, Ifrah and Nafisa Abshir, say the family was shocked and only given a few details about the incident at first.

“We were just told he was hit by a car,” said Ifrah.

“It was a state that was scary to see,” said Nafisa, describing visiting Mohammed, who was disoriented and vomiting, soon after he reached the hospital.

Mohammed is now recovering at home, with a long and painful road ahead.

His uncle, Abdiweli Omar, says a recent trip to Royal Columbian Hospital for a check-up was difficult for the young man, who moved to Canada last year after escaping war-torn Somalia.

“Every time we went to cross the road, he’s hesitating. Checking, double-checking. He’s traumatized, and it’s going to take him a while to recover,” said Omar.

The family has launched a GoFundMe that it says will help with medical costs and loss of income as his loved ones rally around him.

The Surrey Police Service says the hit-and-run suspect was arrested, but not held in custody for any potential criminal charges.

“Criminal Code charges have not been recommended yet,” said police. “With driving-related offences, there is also the Motor Vehicle Act that would apply and charges may come that way.”

—With files from Sonia Aslam and Charlie Carey