BURNABY, B.C. — A harrowing collision on a busy Burnaby street left two young children with serious injuries on Saturday afternoon, prompting a swift police response and a call for public assistance in the ongoing investigation.
According to Burnaby RCMP, the incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Hastings Street, just east of Delta Avenue and near Hythe Avenue. An 11-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl were walking along the sidewalk when they were struck by a grey Mercedes sedan traveling westbound. The driver remained at the scene following the crash, authorities said.
Hastings Street, a major thoroughfare in the city's north end, was immediately shut down in both directions to allow investigators to collect evidence. The closure disrupted traffic in the area, which includes residential neighborhoods and commercial strips popular with families on weekends. As of Saturday night, both children remained hospitalized, receiving treatment for serious but unspecified injuries, police reported.
Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Constable Sarah Armstrong noted the gravity of the situation in a statement to local media. "This is a devastating event for the families involved and the community," she said. "Our thoughts are with the children and their loved ones during this difficult time." Armstrong emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages, with no immediate details released on the circumstances leading to the collision.
The exact sequence of events remains under review, but initial reports indicate the children were pedestrians at the time of the impact. Hastings Street in this stretch is known for its mix of vehicular and foot traffic, with sidewalks that serve school routes and local parks. Witnesses described a chaotic scene immediately after the crash, though no specific accounts from bystanders have been publicly detailed yet.
Police have urged anyone who may have seen the collision and has not yet spoken with officers to come forward. "Even small details can make a big difference in piecing together what happened," Armstrong added. In particular, authorities are seeking dashcam footage from drivers on Hastings Street east of Springer Avenue, including any feeder roads to the north and south, captured between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. on May 2.
Those with relevant video are asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 and reference file number 2026-14863. The file number suggests the case is being handled as a priority traffic investigation, potentially involving charges depending on the findings. No information has been released regarding the driver's condition or any potential impairment factors.
This incident comes amid growing concerns over pedestrian safety in Metro Vancouver suburbs like Burnaby, where urban growth has increased both vehicle volumes and foot traffic. According to TransLink data, Hastings Street sees thousands of daily commuters, and recent years have seen a uptick in collisions involving vulnerable road users. In 2023 alone, the RCMP reported over 50 pedestrian-involved crashes in the city, though none as severe as this weekend's event in recent memory.
Local residents expressed shock on social media and in informal interviews near the scene. "It's heartbreaking to think kids can't even walk safely here," said Maria Lopez, a mother of two who lives blocks away. "We need better crossings and speed enforcement." Lopez's comments echo broader community frustrations, as Burnaby City Council has discussed infrastructure upgrades for Hastings Street in public meetings over the past year.
While the primary focus remains on the victims' recovery, the crash has reignited debates about road design in family-oriented areas. Experts from ICBC, British Columbia's auto insurer, have long advocated for enhanced signage and barriers on high-traffic corridors. "Pedestrian injuries like these are preventable with proactive measures," said an ICBC spokesperson in a general statement on traffic safety, though not directly referencing this case.
Investigators are also examining environmental factors, such as weather conditions on the day of the incident. May 2 dawned clear in the Lower Mainland, with dry roads and moderate temperatures, according to Environment Canada records. This rules out slippery conditions but raises questions about visibility or driver distraction, areas police have not yet commented on publicly.
As the community rallies around the affected families, Burnaby RCMP continues to canvass the neighborhood for additional leads. Nearby businesses, including a strip mall just west of the site, reported no surveillance footage that captures the exact moment, but officers are reviewing adjacent cameras. The closure of Hastings Street was lifted late Saturday evening, but residual traffic delays persisted into Sunday.
Beyond the immediate response, this tragedy underscores the human cost of urban mobility challenges. In Burnaby, a city of over 250,000 residents, pedestrian safety initiatives have included new crosswalks and awareness campaigns, yet incidents persist. City officials have not issued a formal statement, but Mayor Mike Hurley previously highlighted in a 2022 address the need for "safer streets for all ages."
Looking ahead, the outcome of the police probe could influence local policy. If charges are laid, it might parallel similar cases in the region, such as a 2021 Vancouver collision that led to stricter enforcement. For now, the priority is supporting the young victims and ensuring a thorough examination of the facts.
The Burnaby community, tight-knit and diverse, has already begun showing solidarity. A makeshift memorial of flowers and notes has appeared near the collision site, a poignant reminder of the lives impacted. As details emerge, residents await answers and hope for the children's swift recovery.
In the meantime, authorities remind drivers to stay vigilant, especially in pedestrian-heavy zones. "Slow down, look around, and share the road," Armstrong concluded in her update. The investigation remains active, with updates expected as more information becomes available.