VANCOUVER Police on Sunday appealed for witnesses after a multi-car collision on Friday claimed the life of a 78-year-old pedestrian and left his wife with serious injuries.

“This incident is truly a tragedy, and for it to happen just a week before Christmas is heartbreaking,” said Sgt. Steve Addison. “We’re asking for witnesses to come forward and speak to police so we can begin to provide answers to everyone involved.”

The collision occurred around 12:20 p.m. on Friday near Broadway and Albert when a grey Fiat 500 collided with a blue Ford Explorer. Both vehicles were heading east on Broadway, and the force of the collision caused the Explorer to veer into two parked cars, then onto the sidewalk where the elderly couple was walking. The 78-year-old victim, a Vancouver resident, was taken to hospital, but died Sunday.  His 72-year-old wife has serious injuries, but is expected to survive.

“Our hearts go out to everyone involved,” said Addison.

The driver of the Fiat, a 29-year-old woman from Burnaby, and the driver to the Explorer, a 30-year-old woman from Vancouver, were not injured. Neither speed nor alcohol are factors, and no charges have been laid at this time.

This is Vancouver’s eighth fatal collision of 2020.

Witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage are asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.