34-year-old Joel Salazar admitted to a hit and run charge in connection to a high-profile March 2022 incident in Lantzville. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

guilty plea

Man pleads guilty to high-profile Lantzville hit & run

Aug 14, 2024 | 5:36 AM

NANAIMO — An initial not guilty plea was reversed in connection to a 2022 hit and run impacting a Lantzville couple and their two dogs.

Joel Francisco Salazar, 34, was scheduled to stand trial in provincial court in Nanaimo on Tuesday, Aug. 13, however he elected to plead guilty to a charge of failing to remain at an accident resulting in bodily harm.

Crown counsel told court a dangerous driving charge against Salazar would be dropped during sentencing, which is expected to proceed later this year.

Nanaimo RCMP reported on the afternoon of March 4, 2022 a couple and their two dogs were walking on Lorenzen Lane, off the end of Superior Rd., when they were hit by a black SUV.

Investigators learned from the couple the vehicle came up from behind, entered the oncoming lane and hit a woman from behind, sending all of them into the ditch in the process.

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While the driver took off, a partial license plate number and vehicle description from the husband was reported to advance the police investigation.

While details of what occurred will be outlined during an agreed statement of facts at sentencing, the Crown’s James Kulla said the incident resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to a woman and one of her dogs.

Following a plea by police for public assistance and widespread media coverage, Salazar was charged in December 2022 following an extensive police investigation.

A pre-sentence and Gladue reports were ordered for Salazar, who was emotionally distraught during a brief court appearance before judge Karen Whonnock.

The offence could result in a jail sentence for Salazar, who’s represented by defence attorney James Arends.

Court records showed Salazar pleaded guilty and was sentenced earlier this year to impaired driving and driving while prohibited charges in connection to a July 2023 incident in Port Alberni.

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes