THE Surrey RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) is re-appealing for public assistance in a hit and run incident that occurred two years ago this past Monday.

On September 29, 2012, at about 8 p.m., a pedestrian was operating a leaf blower at the back entrance of the Dashmesh Darbar Sikh Gurdwara near 130^th Street and 86^th Avenue when he was struck by an unknown vehicle which fled the scene. The victim was located by a passing motorist who called police. Upon arrival, the victim was taken by emergency services to a local area hospital in critical condition with significant head injuries. Jagdev Toor, 51, has since been released from the hospital, however he suffers from long term, life-altering injuries from the incident.

Investigators located evidence at the scene that showed the suspect vehicle was of a reddish burgundy colour with damage to the right front bumper, fender, and likely windshield. Based on the evidence and skid marks on the roadway, the suspect vehicle also appeared to have been travelling in an eastbound direction. Despite numerous checks with auto body shops, vehicle manufacturers, ICBC, and other agency databases, the vehicle has not been located. A multitude of video surveillance in the area was also seized, however, no footage was able to assist in the investigation.

At the time of the collision, prayer service has just been completed at the Gurdwara temple and a crowd of people were exiting the temple from the other side of the property. In the hours and days following the collision, officers spoke with numerous potential witnesses, including temple representatives, in an attempt to identify the driver and suspect vehicle involved. Dozens of tips were also received from the public, however, all with limited success.

“Based on the large volume of traffic in the area at the time, there is a high likelihood that somebody saw something that night,” says Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet. “We are hoping that someone with a key piece of information will help us solve this case and bring some closure to the victim.”

This is the Criminal Collision Investigation Team’s only unsolved case dating back to the team’s formation in 2009. Every other file has either been solved, concluded, or investigators have a solid understanding of what occurred.

Anyone with information is asked contact the Surrey RCMP CCIT at 604-599-0502 and quote file # 2012-130729. If you wish to remain anonymous please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or go to www.solvecrime.ca.

Rattan Mall adds:

BACK in 2012, Gurdwara President Gian Singh Gill told me that Toor was almost totally dependent on the gurdwara where he had been living for the past five years or so.

He said: “When he came here he was totally lost because of his drug habit.  He started doing sewa (voluntary work) and, by the grace of God, he quit all those things [more than a year ago].”

Gill told me: “He’s a good-natured person. He’s a very caring person. He always looked after newcomers. He actually got a second life over here and we are supporting him fully. He will get a room as soon as he recovers. We will take care of him till he’s fully recovered.”

Gill said Toor spent most of his time at the gurdwara doing sewa and spent the night at the home for the priests next to the gurdwara.