A driver who hit a pedestrian outside West Oaks Mall in Abbotsford in September 2020 and then drove away has received a 90-day conditional sentence.
Jos Lucien Jacques Boulay, 78, was also sentenced Friday (May 6) in Abbotsford provincial court to a one-year driving ban and a $1,000 fine.
He pleaded guilty in February to a charge of failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
A conditional sentence is essentially house arrest and means Boulay could be jailed if he breaches any of his court-ordered conditions.
The collision took place just after 7 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2020 in a crosswalk in front of London Drugs at West Oaks Mall.
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At the time, police said a 58-year-old woman was critically injured, and the vehicle involved was seen briefly stopping before leaving the scene.
On Oct. 2, 2020, police released a photo of the suspect vehicle – a silver van with tinted rear windows – and described the driver as 5’ 6” to 5’ 10”, 50 to 60 years old, and with a medium build.
A composite sketch of the driver was released on Oct. 16.
Police at the time said the driver had briefly stopped and spoken to people in the area, but left as passersby were tending to the injured pedestrian.
The driver did not leave any contact information, police said.
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In November 2020, police said they believed they had identified the van and driver and that charges were pending.
Boulay was charged in April 2021.
The pedestrian, Sharon Beckett, sustained substantial injuries in the crash, including a broken ankle, shoulder, neck and back. She also had a fractured face and skull, and had to have surgery to repair her eye.
A GoFundMe campaign was organized to help cover costs associated with her recovery.
vhopes@abbynews.com
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