Four people were hit — including two requiring hospitalization — after a hit-and-run Saturday in BC by what police described as an “impatient driver” in a pickup truck during a walk to raise awareness of Indigenous children who were abused in residential schools.
Organized by Crazy Indians Brotherhood, the march consisted of Indigenous people and supporters — some carrying signs and flags, others carrying drums — walking along Hwy. 7 near Mission, BC, heading for the former St. Mary’s Residential School. The school was closed in the mid-1980s; it was the last functioning residential school in BC
Troy Ingraldi said he and another person were both helping direct traffic as part of the march and were taken to the hospital after the driver struck them.
According to an RCMP news releasethe driver “tried to get around the group.”
“Despite the safety risk, one driver pushed his way up through the group, making contact with approximately four persons in the group, including the traffic control person and one of the organizers of the March,” the RCMP said. “Two people sustained minor injuries, and later went to hospital for treatment.”
However, witnesses in the march said four people were struck by the car and one person was run over.
Ingraldi alleged the truck came out of nowhere and pulled up onto the shoulder of the highway, on the right-hand lane, where dozens of children were marching.
“He said we had to stop as we were holding up traffic,” Ingraldi said. “He said he’d run down everyone and I told him there were children on his shoulder.”
As the argument escalated, Ingraldi began filming the man. “He told me to go ahead, and said, ‘make me famous.’ ”
The man proceeded to drive in the direction of children and elders, which is when Ingraldi went in front of the truck to stop the man and was run over, he alleged. He said he sustained injuries of soft tissue damage to his right hip and leg, a cut on his lip and left hand, and a minor concussion. In videos taken of the incident, Ingraldi can be seen bleeding from the mouth and hand.
He was taken to the hospital where he stayed for six hours for x-rays and medical care.
On Sunday, he said he was experiencing pain in his right hip and leg as well as severe headaches.
Andrea Martin of Chilliwack was near the front of the group, with her six-year-old son during the incident. While she didn’t see what happened to Ingraldi and the other person, she said she saw what transpired after the incident.
“What I did see was my brother bleeding from his face and his hand while the truck continued to attempt to get around the people walking. Our escort cars we had in front of the march and behind the march blocked off the side of the road to protect everyone as the truck was trying to weave through,” she said.
“Once he reached the front of the group the truck had stopped for a brief moment and could be seen laughing.”
None of the people struck were seriously injured, according to police.
“It sounds like this driver became upset that his trip was going to be delayed by a few minutes, and drove into oncoming traffic to try to get around the group,” said Mission RCMP Const. Harrison Mohr in the release.
The RCMP release said there is “no indication that this incident was targeted, or that the driver’s actions had anything specifically to do with the people marching or their cause.”
Mission RCMP said they had no one in custody as of Sunday morning, but had the license plate of the vehicle.
“We’re going to be gathering as much evidence as possible to determine the appropriate charges to recommend,” Mohr said in the release.
But at least two march organizers are frustrated by the RCMP response.
Chris Robertson, vice-president of Crazy Indians Brotherhood, said he was also struck by the car, with the front bumper clipping his knee.
“I’m really bothered [with the RCMP response]. Where’s the attempted murder? The assault with a deadly weapon? If it was one of us who had done this we’d be in jail. But this man is sitting at home, even though dozens of people took videos of what he did,” Robertson said.
He added that there was a female driver who was also yelling racial slurs at the marchers.
Another member of the brotherhood, Garrett Dan, said the demonstration was peaceful and was meant to shed light on the atrocities of the residential school system.
“I’m really troubled because kids and elders could have been hurt. They say the man was impatient, but you don’t drive through a crowd of people when you’re impatient,” Dan said.
Ingraldi added many members of the community are upset and devastated as they showed up for a good cause. Another march is being planned by Crazy Indians Brotherhood, he said.
“For this to happen is unacceptable, but this is why we march.”
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