New Hazelton RCMP release sketch of suspect in hitchhiking incident

The New Hazelton RCMP has released further details in a hitch hiking incident of last month that raised much concern across the Northwest.

As we outlined here after the first report of the incident, a female hitchhiker from the Kispiox area, was forced to jump from the moving vehicle, when she became concerned over the behaviour of the driver who had offered her a ride.

As part of the investigation into that incident, the RCMP has released a composite sketch of a person of interest in the incident, offering up a visual in the quest to seek further assistance from the public.

The male suspect driver has been described as a Caucasian male, heavy set, approximately 40 to 50years of age, At the time of the incident he had grey hair and was wearing dark brown glasses and a jean jacket.

Should anyone have further information on the incident, or if the sketch should tweak a memory you can contact the New Hazelton RCMP at 250- 842-5244 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

More information on the incident and the ongoing investigation can be found at the RCMP website.

Updates:

CFTK-- Driver Sketch (video)

Further reviews of the original incident from December can be found below.


Terrace Standard-- Police seek northwestern BC minivan driver
CBC-- Hitchhiker leaps to safety from moving van
Opinion 250-- Young Woman Jumps through window in Hitchhiking incident
Vancouver Province-- Female Hitchhiker leaps to safety from red minivan
CFTK-- Kispiox Hitchhiker Escapes Frightening Situation

In the Hazelton's, a reminder of the dangers of hitchhiking

The RCMP in the Hazelton's are investigating an incident that underscores the dangerous nature of hitch hiking, especially in the current atmosphere of concern surrounding Highway 16 or the Highway of Tears as it has become known as.

A Kispiox resident escaped a frightening incident on Monday afternoon,  having hitched a ride with a motorist, the woman became concerned over his behaviour and asked to be let out of the car.

He refused to pull over, and began heading in a direction other than where she had intended to go. That left the young woman with no option in her mind but to jump through the window of the moving van, taking her chance when the motorist slowed down at a bridge crossing.

RCMP are seeking more information on the situation, the vehicle is a red minivan, the driver a heavy set, Caucasian male, with grey hair, age of 40 to 50. He was last seen wearing a jean jacket and was wearing dark brown glasses.

At the time of the incident the minivan was last seen driving towards Highway 16.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact the New Hazelton RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Terrace Standard-- Police seek northwestern BC minivan driver
CBC-- Hitchhiker leaps to safety from moving van
Opinion 250-- Young Woman Jumps through window in Hitchhiking incident
Vancouver Province-- Female Hitchhiker leaps to safety from red minivan
CFTK-- Kispiox Hitchhiker Escapes Frightening Situation