Midnapore hit and run still unsolved as victim's family seeks public help in locating driver

The family of a woman who was seriouslyinjured while walking in a crosswalk inMidnapore earlier this month is calling on the driver of the pickup truck that hit her to come forward.

Yulia Potekhina, 25, was struck at the intersection ofBannister Road andMidlakeBoulevard S.E. at about 5:20 p.m. on Dec. 8 and the driver then "sped away," according to police.

Potekhina sufferedserious injuries to her head and leg and remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.

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"She has gone through four surgeries already," her mother Tatiana Potekhinatold reporters Thursday.

"Her femur and pelvis were badly broken. She will spend months and months in recovery."

Yulia's fianc Matthew Osterhoutdescribed his bride-to-be as the most selfless person heknows.

He said they met while studying at SAIT sixyears ago, and it was clear from the get-go that Yuliawas not a superficial person.

At the time, Osterhout had recently undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour and was left with a partially paralyzed face.

"She looked beyond the facial paralysis I have on the right side of my face and saw me for who I was, and has supported me emotionally for six years," he said.

"I hope the person that did this finds it in their soul to come forward," headded.

"This will mean a lot for our family," Tatiana said."This person should be off the roads."

Driver may be unaware person was struck

Investigators have so far been unable to locate the vehicle involved in the crash, described asa dark-coloured pickup truck, possibly a 2009 to 2015 Ford F150.

Sgt. Colin Foster said it's possible the driver of the truck didn't realize a person had been struck.

"It's a collision that happened at nighttime;Yulia was wearing relatively dark clothing," he said. "It's an intersection where there's lots of things going on, and it itcould be the driver honestly thinks they merely hit a curb or a snowbank or whatever."

"If it's purely accidental," Foster added,"we always will be sympathetic tothat. But, by the same token, if you know you've done this, then we still encourage you to come forward sooner rather than later."

Anyonewith information about the collision or the identity of the driver is asked to contact the police traffic section at 403-567-4000or Crime Stoppers anonymously.