A good Samaritan was used as a weapon to injure the very man he was trying to help, early Monday morning.
The driver, who called The Citizen to tell the story, was in the vicinity of 20th Avenue and Massey Drive at about 6 a.m. when he was approached by a man who tried to convince him to drive him to the hospital. The driver refused. He then witnessed the man intercept a passing bicycle rider.
"He started pushing him off his bike and trying take his bike," the driver (name withheld) said. "So I quick turned right and layed on the horn and he shoved him [the bicycle rider] right into my vehicle."
The cyclist was thrown to the ground and his head ended up under the tire of the oncoming Samaritan vehicle. There was popping and crushing, but it was contained to the cyclist's helmet. Some blood was drawn, but no skull damage done.
"The most severe injuries were lacerations to the cheek and eye area of his face," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "If the victim was not wearing a helmet, he would likely have more serious injuries or may not have survived. Always wear a helmet."
Police were called to the scene and the Samaritan continued his good deeds.
"This passerby was very upset by what happened, and was very concerned for this fellow to the point he drove him to the hospital," Douglass said. "He was coming to his aid and could not have foreseen this happening."
RCMP, meanwhile, tried in vain to locate the suspect in the area. Police service dog Baron was unable to track him.
The suspect did not get the injured man's bike, however.
The suspect is described as a clean shaven Caucasian male, 170 to 173 cm (5'7" to 5'8"), with a thin build, blue eyes and short wavy blond hair. His cheeks appeared to be "sunken" and he was wearing a white T-shirt with an unknown logo, jeans and white runners.
If you have any information about this serious criminal offense, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES using keyword "pgtips".
