‘Dark red car’ struck man in hit and run outside Surrey temple

By Elaine O’Connor

Surrey RCMP are looking for a hit-and-run driver who put a Sikh temple resident in hospital on Saturday with critical injuries.

The victim’s nephew on Tuesday called for the public to help identify the driver who hit his uncle, Jagdev Toor.

“If there are any witnesses, please come and tell us and help us find the driver,” Ramneet Sandhu, 20, said at a media conference at Surrey RCMP headquarters.

“He hurt my uncle, that was a bad thing, but the worst part is he didn’t help him,” Sandhu said. “He is going through a hard time, and my family is going through a hard time. Everyone is shattered.”

Toor, 49, was using a leaf blower near the back entrance of the Dashmesh Darbar Sikh Gurdwara temple at about 9 p.m. when he was struck in the 8600-block 130th St. A passing motorist who saw the victim called the incident into police.

“We are asking the driver to do the right thing and come forward and contact us,” Surrey RCMP Sgt. Bert Paquet said.

Temple treasurer Avtar Johal said Toor, a roofer who had separated from his wife and had no children, had been staying at the temple for the past six or seven years. He did odd jobs to help out, cleaning the parking area about twice a week.

“We pray for him,” Johal said.

Sandhu said Toor suffered a broken jaw, a broken right leg and fractures to his ribs. He underwent surgery on his leg Tuesday. Sandhu said Toor was, for the most part, not conscious and unable to talk.

Investigators are on the lookout for a vehicle that is reddish or burgundy in colour, with a fine metal flake in the paint. The vehicle will likely have damage to the right front bumper, fender and windshield. Autobody shops should be on the alert for a vehicle matching this description, police advised.

It is the third serious hit-and-run case in Surrey this year, said Traffic Services Commander Staff-Sgt. Paul Mulvihill.

Mulvihill explained his 10-officer team would be scanning surveillance footage collected from the area in a bid for leads.

Red paint chips and a windshield wiper left at the scene would also be sent for analysis.

Speed may have been a factor in the hit-and-run collision, he said.

Another recent hit-and-run case occurred early Saturday morning, when a minivan smashed into a house in the 7200-block 125th Street, injuring one occupant and starting a fire. The occupants of the van reportedly fled the scene. Police arrested one suspect.

In addition, there have been 14 fatal crashes in Surrey so far this year, Mulvihill said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team at 604-599-0502 or surrey_ccit@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Tags: Dashmesh Darbar Sikh Gurdwara, RCMP