Man charged in hit-and-run of refugee mother struck by SUV on Whyte Ave

Edmonton police have charged a 52-year-old man in connection to a hit-and-run in March on Whyte Avenue.

EPS said on March 18, officers received a report of a hit-and-run on Whyte Avenue at 97 Street.

Ukrainian refugee Olga Demianchuk, 38, was taking her daughter to school in the morning, and as they were in a marked crosswalk when Demianchuk was hit.

Reports indicate Demianchuk moved her six-year-old daughter out of the way of an orange Dodge Journey before she was hit.

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Police say the SUV and driver did not stay at the scene, following the incident.

Paramedics treated Demianchuk, and she was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“She didn’t go home for two months. She’s taking rehab program because she cannot move her hand. She feels pain,” said Khrystina Sheshurak, friend of Demianchuk.

Sheshurak tells CityNews Demianchuk is somewhat relieved the driver has been charged.

“She is expecting punishment for this person. This person left her and left her kid on the road and just ran away.”

Through an investigation, police identified 52-year-old Neil McKay of Edmonton as the alleged driver of the Dodge Journey.

On May 10, McKay was charged with failing to stop after an accident resulting in bodily harm under the Criminal Code of Canada, failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, careless driving, driving a motor vehicle on highway without a valid driver’s license, and operate an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. 

-With files from Hiba Kamal-Choufi