Andrew Raab, 86, was backed over by a vehicle Jan. 14, 2015 and later died in hospital.

(COMPOSITE/JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - A driver’s obstructed view due in part to a large cardboard box in the backseat and a sticker on the rearview mirror is considered a contributing factor in the death of a Vernon senior who was run over last year.

Andrew Raab, 86, was walking along 27 Avenue on Jan. 14, 2015 when a car backed out of a driveway and drove overtop of him. According to his family, who spoke out about the incident, he was rushed to hospital but died 13 days later. He was an automotive and aircraft engineer and loved to build things, including a three-wheeled bicycle he came up with to help get him around in his later years.

In a report on his death, B.C. coroner Margaret Janzen says Raab was knocked to the pavement by a 2000 Chrysler Intrepid and dragged a short distance. The driver reported hearing a thud and exiting the car to find Raab injured, Janzen said. There were no independent witnesses.

While Raab was found to have died of complications due to the blunt force trauma sustained in the collision, Janzen said obstruction of the driver’s view was considered contributory.

The vehicle reversed out of a driveway bordered by a chain-link fence, snowbanks and bushes, all of which created view obstructions of pedestrians walking along the sidewalk, Janzen said in her report.

There were also view obstructions within the vehicle. Janzen pointed out a sticker on the lower right rear view mirror and what appeared to be residue from an old sticker in the upper centre of the rear view mirror. There was also a large cardboard box in the right back seat.

“All of these things would have created view obstructions for the driver,” Janzen said.

Janzen classified the death as accidental and made no recommendations.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2016