Elderly pedestrian hit by SUV on New Year’s Eve dies in Kelowna hospital

KELOWNA – An elderly man who was hit by an SUV while crossing a busy road in Kelowna on New Year’s Eve died in hospital overnight.

The 78-year-old pedestrian, who was hit crossing Springfield Road near the Chances casino Dec. 31, 2015, died at as a result of his injuries at Kelowna General Hospital last night, Jan. 3, according to RCMP.

The man was wearing dark clothing and 'did not appear' to be in a marked crosswalk, Const. Jesse O'Donaghey says in a media release.

“The driver, a 21-year-old Lake Country man, remained at the scene and is co-operating with police,” O’Donaghey says in the release. “Police have ruled out alcohol as a contributing factor and strongly believe that speed was also not a factor.”

Officers from the Kelowna RCMP Traffic Section continue to investigate along with the B.C Coroners Service.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.