Contrary to an initial report, Prince George RCMP now say the driver who struck a toddler Wednesday while in a parking lot off Ospika Boulevard was not backing up when she hit the child.
Rather, RCMP now believe the woman was entering the parking lot from the southbound lane and had been traveling against traffic flow for a short distance to bypass a meridian in the process.
The child was standing near a parent who was tending to a younger child when the toddler was struck by a small SUV.
One tire drove completely over the three-year-old's midsection, RCMP said.
"Fortunately, the child was transported to hospital for treatment and miraculously, is expected to fully recover," RCMP said.
In an email to the Citizen, the child's father said she was in critical conditions when she was taken to hospital and rushed into trauma immediately.
"Fortunately she is stable now and we are hoping for a full recovery thanks to the amazing team of doctors and nurses at our hospital," he said.
The investigation is continuing and charges against the driver, who remained on the scene, are "expected." Alcohol was not a factor, RCMP added.
The decision on whether to press charges remains with Crown counsel once it has received a report from the RCMP.
RCMP are reminding all drivers to slow down and take extra precaution in parking lots."Pedestrians and vehicles share parking lots," said Sgt. Matt LaBelle of the detachment's traffic services section.
"This incident should never have occurred, and we could have had a far more tragic ending."
