Youth dies after being struck by vehicle at marked crosswalk in Saanich

A youth who was hit by a vehicle in a marked crosswalk in Saanich, B.C.,on Monday has died, police say.

The high school student whose identity has not been made public was struck while crossing Cedar Hill Cross Road at MerrimanDrive shortly before 10 p.m. PT, according to the Saanich Police Department.

They were taken toVictoria General Hospital with life-threatening injuries but died on Wednesday morning, a statement from police said.

"Ourheartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and anyone that has been affected by this very tragic incident," read the statement.

Police said the driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene, just west of the University of Victoria campus, and is fully co-operating with their investigation.

A busy intersection

Susan Haddon, the president of the Quadra/Cedar Hill community association, said she felt "desperate sadness" over the incident.

She says the road is frequently used by children, youth and their families, with four schools and a non-profit service agencyin the vicinity.

"To have a speed limit of 50 km/hour, particularin this stretch, when you're coming around a tight bend and going down a slope it's almost like a blind spot."

District of SaanichCoun. Zacde Vriesdescribed the incident as"devastating."

"Whenever something like this happens, it takes a toll on the entire community," de VriestoldCBCon Wednesday.

He said hehears every day from concerned residents about Saanich road safety and that the ideal solution is to have barriers that protectpedestrians and cyclistsfrom vehicles.

A member of the district's planning, transportation and economic advisory committee, de Vries said a recommendation has already been made by the committee to create a "traffic calming strategy."

Additionally, council has directed staff to apply to the province to launch a reduced speed pilot program on neighbourhood streets. Under that program, speeds would be reduced to 30 km/h.

"I think there's always something we can do," said the councillor.