Family and friends of 75-year-old Johnny Sudds, who was struck by a reckless driver in Vancouver two weeks ago and died in hospital Sunday, have started a memorial as the quiet neighbourhood reacts to the tragedy.
The Vancouver Police Department says the incident was first reported around 5:30 a.m. on May 15, when the driver of a Jeep was seen acting erratically near Comox and Broughton streets, allegedly crashing into fences and plants in the Nelson Park dog area.
“Several witnesses nearby had to scramble to get out of the way of the suspect’s vehicle,” a police statement described.
The VPD says the driver then struck a senior citizen, Sudds, who was riding a motorized mobility scooter, and finally came to a stop after crashing into a responding police vehicle.
Const. Darren Wong says the final crash destroyed the police vehicle and flipped the suspect’s vehicle on its side.
“The suspect was trapped inside the vehicle and arrested near Comox and Bute streets,” said Wong.
“Multiple ambulances responded along with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, who were able to free the man from the wreckage.”
On Wednesday, police reported Sudds died Sunday, May 24.
In a post to social media, Sudd’s son Ryan said the family is grieving, but they remember their father’s humour and say he died peacefully.
Loved ones placed a memorial on a street corner near where Sudd’s was struck. The memorial has grown considerably as West End residents stop to pay their respects.
Some say the incident was too close to home.
“I was upset yesterday when I saw he died, I’m upset again today talking to his son,” said Clinton Bancroft.
Ryan’s post says his father’s hospital room was flooded with get-well-soon letters from the community.
“I was here two weeks ago,” said Ayu Rikard. “And I was told he was doing better, and there was a whole bunch of notes down here people were leaving get well soon notes, I was told that his daughter was coming by to grab the notes and making him feel better.”
One resident, Bee, says the tragedy has brought neighbours closer.
“So many people have come together, that we normally wouldn’t chat and bonded over the fact that we really cared about this individual even though we may not have known him on a personal level.”
Last week, police said a 34-year-old man, with a history of police interactions in B.C. and Saskatchewan, was facing four counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle related to the incident.
Police say the suspect remains in custody.