On the morning of October 8, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Abbotsford, British Columbia, resulting in the death of a 60-year-old female pedestrian. The collision took place around 6 a.m. in the 34000 block of Gladys Avenue, near the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope. The woman was struck by a pickup truck and succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Constable Art Stele, media officer with the Abbotsford Police Department (APD), reported that the driver of the pickup remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Initial assessments indicate that impairment was not a factor in the crash. Following the incident, Gladys Avenue was closed for several hours to allow the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service to conduct a thorough investigation.
This tragic event is part of a concerning pattern in Abbotsford. By November 2024, the city had recorded its tenth fatal accident of the year, with six of these incidents involving pedestrians. For instance, on November 19, 2024, a 69-year-old man was struck by a vehicle on George Ferguson Way. He sustained life-threatening injuries and later died in the hospital. In this case, the pedestrian was crossing the roadway through moving traffic and not in a crosswalk. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with authorities.
These incidents underscore the critical importance of road safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrians are urged to use designated crosswalks and remain vigilant, especially during low-visibility conditions. Drivers should exercise caution, adhere to speed limits, and remain alert to pedestrian activity. The APD continues to investigate these incidents and encourages witnesses or individuals with relevant information or dashcam footage to come forward. Such contributions are invaluable in understanding the circumstances surrounding these tragedies and in developing strategies to prevent future occurrences.
The community’s collective efforts in promoting road safety can help prevent such devastating incidents in the
future.
