Photo by Aimee O'Connor
INCIDENT’S AFTERMATH – Emergency responders examine the damage to Denise Tremblay’s Toyota last Saturday evening after it was rear-ended and struck a post. The other driver left the scene and failed to return. Photo by MARK MENDELSOHN
When Denise Tremblay bought her Toyota Yaris in 2008, it had 11 kilometres on it.
When Denise Tremblay bought her Toyota Yaris in 2008, it had 11 kilometres on it.
That’s part of what made it difficult to lose the vehicle last Saturday when Tremblay and her boyfriend were rear-ended on the Alaska Highway in the Kopper King area.
The other part that makes it hard to process is that the accident was a hit-and-run – one that totalled Tremblay’s car, and left her with no insurance to fall back on.
“It’s just kind of a drag because there’s nothing that we can do about it unless (the other driver) comes forward and admits to it,” Tremblay told the Star this morning.
“I think if she was going to come forward, she would have by now.”
At round 8 p.m., Tremblay was travelling toward downtown Whitehorse, near Manitoulin Transport, when a white car sped up behind her.
She guessed the vehicle was travelling at roughly 90 km/h. She assumed it would pass her.
Instead, the car slammed into Tremblay’s Toyota, propelling the vehicle into a roadside post.
The air bags deployed on impact, and the car filled with smoke after striking the post.
As Tremblay and her boyfriend climbed out of the car, the other driver (a First Nations woman in her 40s, according to Tremblay) pulled over and told Tremblay she would drive back to Kopper King and use the phone there to call police.
Tremblay watched the woman drive into the parking lot at the Kopper King, but that was the last she saw of her.
Police are still investigating, but there have been no leads so far.
Right now, Tremblay is just grateful no one was killed or seriously injured. She said she has a sore neck and shoulders, but no broken bones.
She’s also focusing on selling possessions, such as the winter tires she bought in the spring, to raise funds for a new car.
(There is no collision insurance on the Toyota, and without the other driver’s information, coverage status is uncertain).
Tremblay taught friends to drive in the car, and used it for road trips to Edmonton and Dawson City. Besides having fond memories of the vehicle, it’s impacting her daily mobility.
“I still feel like my life got turned upside down. We used that car every day,” she said, noting hers was the car friends and family often relied on for rides.
“When you’re used to something that’s gone, you have to figure it out, right? That’s what we’re trying to do – put the pieces back together.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 667-5555.
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Comments (8)
Up 7 Down 2
Another bad driver on Aug 3, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Judging by the location and the time of day, I would say the person who hit her was likely inebriated and that's why they didn't return. That's not the first time someone has come plowing out of that parking lot, not looking...
It's such an unfortunate situation for these people because they will likely never see anything come of this and we are living in a system where the victim always gets screwed even if the culprit is caught.
Up 7 Down 4
Just Say'in on Aug 3, 2016 at 12:55 am
Yes, I agree with everyone however if she had insurance it would have been being fixed as we speak. Yes insurance is expensive but this is why we have it.
Up 17 Down 0
Charles on Aug 1, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Looking at torn rear end of the Yaris it must have been quite a smack, someone has to have seen a white car with a suspiciously rearranged front end.
Up 27 Down 4
June Jackson on Jul 31, 2016 at 11:12 am
When you are in an accident, it's sudden. You don't have time to make preparations.. Someone says, is everyone ok? i'm going for help... you are rattled, anxious, and you say.. ok.. thank you! You actually think they are going to do that. I understand this couple, in a ditch, really upset, and.. trusting someone.
Integrity... always doing the right thing, just because its the right thing to do. Such a shortage of people with integrity these days. I'm sorry Denise.. maybe start a 'gofund' page and see if folks won't chip in a little something for you. I will. Trust that Karma will go after the other person.
Up 20 Down 24
jc on Jul 30, 2016 at 11:29 am
Neither her or her boyfriend even thought of taking down the licence number of the other car or get the description of the driver? Hmmmmm!
Up 7 Down 33
Josey Wales on Jul 30, 2016 at 9:23 am
Thomas...yes but no, two channels does not cut it anymore.
You need 6 all four sides outside covered, and two inside...in case you get shot by a cop getting your requested sometimes legally even credentials out. HD with premo audio wirelessly sent to avoid data tampering.
"Sad but true"
Up 17 Down 9
Tom Lymbery on Jul 29, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Unfortunate that Yukon does not have auto insurance like BC where ICBC's basic principal is "No Insurance - No Plates /No Plates - No Insurance."
Up 62 Down 3
Thomas Brewer on Jul 29, 2016 at 4:29 pm
Dual channel dash cams (front and back views) are becoming a necessity. The driver of the white car likely didn't have insurance and that's why she split... never assume someone is going to 'do the right thing' - get that plate number!