‘He was loved’: Vancouver hit-and-run victim identified as father of three
Posted December 28, 2018 4:19 pm.
Last Updated December 28, 2018 4:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCUOVER (NEWS 1130) – The victim of Vancouver’s most recent hit-and-run has been identified as a father of three, who is being described as giving, humble, and funny.
Family say 39-year-old Donnell Auger was the man found at the side of the road early Thursday morning at Kingsway and Glen Drive. He was taken to hospital where he died.
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“Just trying to figure out how to navigate through this, cause we’re just in shock right now, we just celebrated Christmas together as a family,” says his older sister Suzette Amaya.
Hours after Auger was found, Vancouver Police made a plea to the driver who struck him to identify themselves. Later in the day, police said a 54-year-old had come forward in the hit-and-run investigation. The person has been released but their car has been seized, as the investigation continues.
“Now we’re speculating on what kind of condition that person was in, or how you can just leave a human body there, who was a father of three, how can you leave that person there?” Amaya says, adding that the family believes Auger had quickly run out for a bite to eat.
“My brother didn’t pass away until he got to the hospital so he was there, for who knows how long, alone on the street.”
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The family is feeling tragic sadness and anger as it tries to be strong for Auger’s three sons, aged six, eight, and 15. Amaya says they hope they’ll see justice.
“Our family is Christian so we believe in forgiveness but I think there needs to be some accountability,” Amaya added. “I’d like to see the driver get charged, see what his condition is, but of course I want the facts.”
A candlelight vigil has been organized for Auger for tonight at 7 at Kingsway and Glen Drive, where he was found.
“He would also be the kinda guy that was always making jokes, making people laugh, he’d always light up a room,” added Amaya. “He had a lot of life in him.”
