A man has been charged for his involvement in a crash that left an employee with serious injuries at a North Vancouver A&W last year.
On March 16, 2024, an SUV driver turned into the drive-thru of the A&W at 920 Marine Dr., and crashed into the exterior wall of the fast food restaurant.
On the other side of the wall, oil from a deep fryer splashed on an employee inside. Ruby Punzalan was rushed to hospital, where she was treated for severe burns on her body, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help pay for her treatment and other uncertainties on her road to recovery.
George Ernest Collins, 80, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, online court documents show. The North Vancouver resident is scheduled for his first court appearance on Feb. 26.
Incident 'terrible' for victim, regardless of legal proceedings, police say
This type of police investigation requires due diligence, which includes gathering statements, reviewing video and reporting from experts like ICARS, said Const. Mansoor Sahak, spokesperson for North Vancouver RCMP.
"Which is one of the reasons these types of investigations take a bit longer," he said.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation and subsequent court proceedings, what's happened is terrible for the victim, Sahak said.
"She's left with severe injuries that are going to require years and years of treatment and recovery," he said. "This was a very traumatic incident and we have to acknowledge that."
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