Date:            2021-June-16
Contact:      Cst. Kevin Goodmurphy
Telephone:  604.925.7348
File #:          21-6536

West Vancouver – A 50-year-old West Vancouver woman is lucky to have walked away with only a ticket, after she lost control outside an elementary school and crashed through a fence, narrowly missing children playing nearby.

On June 15, just after 3:00 pm at Cypress Park Elementary School, West Vancouver Police received a call regarding a single-vehicle collision. When officers arrived on scene they identified the driver and sole occupant of a 2009 Mercedes SUV, as well as multiple witnesses. Officers determined that the vehicle had been seen driving toward an open parking spot next to the playground, when it suddenly accelerated, crashing through a chain-link fence, and landing close to a nearby play-structure. There were many children and adults in the area at the time. 

“It’s an absolute miracle that nobody was injured in this incident,” says Cst Kevin Goodmurphy. “This is a stark reminder to slow down and pay attention while driving near schools.”

West Vancouver Fire & Rescue also attended to tend to the vehicles’ punctured fuel tank. Approximately 50 litres of fuel was spilled on the playground. 

The driver was issued a violation ticket for “Drive without due care.” 

This same driver was issued a violation ticket only days earlier, for allegedly speeding in the same school zone.

“We can’t stress this enough, slow down,” says Cst Goodmurphy. “Our children are worth it.”

A reminder, that school zones are in effect on school days, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, when the speed limit is 30 km/hr.