The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) has released video showing a pedestrian being launched 50 feet after he is struck by a car.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the footage, which was taken from video surveillance at a home near the scene, is being released to increase awareness of distracted driving.
The incident took place on Dec. 10 at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Parkview Street.
The video shows a 64-year-old man waiting to cross at a marked crosswalk. A woman pushing a stroller and walking with two young children comes up behind him.
A car to their left stops, and the group proceeds north across Hillcrest. As they are walking across the last half of the crosswalk, a Volkswagen Jetta to their right does not slow down, and plows into the man, propelling him 50 feet down the road.
MacDonald said the man is still recovering from fractures to his lower body and head injuries.
He said the driver stayed on the scene and indicated that she had been momentarily distracted by glancing at her purse just before the collision.
"We believe the video illustrates what can occur when a driver is momentarily distracted … This could have easily been another fatal collision," MacDonald said.
The driver was ticketed for driving without due care and attention.
The APD has made road safety its top priority for 2013 following a year that saw nine pedestrian fatalities and 480 injury collisions.
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