PENHOLD – A local woman was seriously injured and had to have her dog destroyed after a hit-and-run driver smashed into them at dusk in a low visibility area of town.
Innisfail RCMP Sgt. Lori Eiler said at about 5 p.m. on Nov. 30 a female pedestrian was walking her dog in the alley behind 170 Dundee Cresent in Penhold. Eiler said the woman noted a vehicle heading toward her and the dog and not slowing down.
“The victim attempted to rescue her dog and in the process both the victim and her dog were struck,” said Eiler. “That time of day it would have been darker and I know there are no lights back there and it was likely visibility was difficult.
“The victim reported observing the vehicle stopped with tail lights and continuing on,” added Eiler. “That's is a cause for concern because it makes me feel somebody knew something had happened.”
Eiler said the 57-year-old woman, a resident of Penhold, was transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre where she is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The dog was put down at a local veterinary hospital due to the seriousness of the canine's injuries, said Eiler, who was unable to provide more information about the animal, including its breed, age or gender.
Eiler said the victim described the vehicle as a truck but due to the low visibility it was difficult to determine what the colour of that truck was.
“Her (victim) state of shock would impact her ability of giving us details,” said Eiler. “RCMP would encourage the driver of this vehicle to do the right thing, come forward, and report this collision to police.”
Eiler said RCMP continue to investigate and are actively following up on any leads or new information.
If any citizen has any information, he or she is asked to call the Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342. They can also contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com
