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VIDEO: Police release footage from impaired-driving crash

Collision took place in Abbotsford in September 2015

The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) has released video of an impaired-driving crash to illustrate the need for improved safety on the roads.

The video has been released during Canada Road Safety Week (May 16 to 22).

Const. Ian MacDonald said the APD has received permission from the victims of the crash to share the footage.

“Their hope is that this video will motivate others to make better and safer choices,” he said.

The crash occurred in the early morning of Sept. 26, 2015 in the area of Essendene and Gladys avenues, and everyone involved was under 20 at the time.

A group of six pedestrians were in a marked crosswalk and were crossing with the walk signal.

The 17-year-old female driver of a pickup truck stopped for the pedestrians and the red light, but the driver of a Ford Mustang was impaired and speeding, and did not stop.

The vehicle veered toward the group of pedestrians, all of whom were able to jump out of the way, except for a 13-year-old boy on a scooter.

He suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including a broken arm, and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Mustang also crashed into the truck. He then fled the scene on foot, but was caught a short distance away. A passenger in the vehicle remained on scene.

Jakob Betsworth later pleaded guilty to charges of impaired driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He was sentenced in January of this year to a 12-month conditional sentence and a two-year driving ban.

MacDonald said although the victims of the crash received relatively minor injuries, the emotional impact continues to affect them.

He said that targeting high-risk driving behaviours involves both prevention and enforcement.

“The result of this crash could have been much worse. Collectively, we all need to do much better when it comes to road safety,” MacDonald added.