Nearly a year after the incident, a charge has been laid in connection with the death of an elderly woman who was struck and killed by the driver of a modified pickup truck in a mall parking lot.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 p.m. in the parking lot outside the Nanaimo Walmart at Woodgrove Centre on March 21st, 2024.
The 85-year-old pedestrian parked her vehicle beside 24-year-old Jazmin Patenaude’s truck, stepped out, and headed toward the mall.
Witnesses recall that at the same time, Patenaude exited her parking stall and turned left, colliding with the woman and knocking her to the ground.
Related: Elderly pedestrian killed after being struck by vehicle in Walmart parking lot: Nanaimo RCMP
According to police, Significant modifications had been made to Patenaude’s truck—suspension lifts, oversized tires, and tinted windows—which were not part of the vehicle’s original design.
Investigators believe that these alterations contributed to the unsafe driving conditions in the busy parking lot, ultimately playing a role in the tragic outcome.
Police ruled out alcohol and drugs as factors in the incident. Patenaude remained at the scene and cooperated with police as the investigation unfolded. The truck was seized as part of the investigation and underwent a comprehensive mechanical inspection.
