'What is wrong with people?': Hit and run sends Tobique First Nation man to hospital
The family of a hit-and-run victim in northwestern New Brunswick is shocked and dismayed their loved one is the second person from a First Nation community to fall victim to a hit and run in as many months.
"What is wrong with people?" Kesley Saulis of Tobique First Nation asked Friday.
"How could you hit another human and just drive away?"
Saulis said his uncle, Daniel Saulis, is the 42-year-old man from Tobique who was transported to the hospital Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle along the Trans-Canada Highway, just north of Morrell Siding.
RCMP have not released the victim's name, but spokesperson Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh described his injuries as "serious."
"I don't believe they are life-threatening," she added.
In eastern New Brunswick, RCMP continue to investigate the hit-and-run death of Brady Francis, 22, of Elsipogtog First Nation almost eight weeks ago.
Francis was waiting for a drive along the Saint-Charles Sud Road in Saint-Charles when he was struck and killed on Feb. 24, around 9:30 p.m.
"What happened with Brady was an eye-opener, and now this happening to my uncle," said Kesley Saulis.
He thinks his uncle "should be OK."
"He was talking."
But he expects he'll be "in rough shape for a while."
A preliminary investigation by the Saint-Leonard RCMP indicates his uncle may have been hitchhiking along the westbound lane near exit ramp 99 when he was struck sometime before 6:15 a.m.
Morrell Siding is about 15 kilometres north of Perth-Andover, and Tobique is about halfway between the two.
Saulis said he doesn't know what his uncle was doing there, but did say "he always walks places" and confirmed he does hitchhike.
RCMP are seeking the public's help in identifying the vehicle involved.
It fled the scene, but police believe it was an older model that may have sustained significant damage, particularly around a headlight, based on debris found at the site, Cpl. Marcel Jaillet said in a statement.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information about the vehicle is asked to call the Saint-Leonard RCMP at 506-473-3137, or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimenb.ca.
Richibucto RCMP are also seeking the public's help in identifying the pickup truck suspected to have been involved in Francis's death.
On March 20, they released photos of a grey 2003 GMC Sierra 4 X 4.
While RCMP know the identity of the truck's owner, they haven't determined who was driving it, according to the most recent reports.
No charges have been laid.
RCMP returned to the scene on April 5 as calls for #JusticeforBrady continued to mount.
A rally was held in Moncton earlier this month and Francis's mother posted an emotional video on Facebook, urging the person responsible to come forward.
