The Quesnel Crafter’s Society is seeking the public’s help after Cariboo Keepsakes was damaged earlier this month by a semi-truck.
Raw video footage was recently released on Facebook by the non-profit co-op which is operated by volunteers.
A semi-truck appears to be making a left-hand turn from Front Street onto Carson Avenue on Saturday, Jan. 1 at 1:39 p.m. when it crashes into a wooden pole supporting the gift shop, narrowly missing pedestrians.
“It’s nightmarish to see this video,” said society president Veronika Kregel, noting the two pedestrians got out of harm’s way just in the nick of time.
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After the crash the videos, taken from two different angles, show the driver reversing and straightening the wheels to correct the turn.
“The guy stopped, walked out, looked at the damage and then hopped back into his truck,” Kregel said.
Damage was noticed that day by a volunteer’s friend who was walking by and alerted them.
The damage — estimated between $2,000 to $2,500 — was repaired by the city of Quesnel, owners of the former Hudson’s Bay Company building.
Kregel said it is unfortunately damaged several times each year by impaired drivers and mostly hit-and-run incidents.
“This is happening on a regular basis, and this is sad,” she said, recalling running out of Cariboo Keepsakes last year and seeing a damaged large RV fleeing.
“We have videos hoping it will help a little bit.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Quesnel RCMP or send an email to the society at caribookeepsakes@yahoo.com.
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