Kamloops teen Jenn Gatey killed in hit and run missed her birthday by hours
'Happy birthday Jenn, rest in peace wherever you may be,' wrote a friend on Facebook
Jennifer Gatey was looking forward to pizza with family for her 17th birthday today.
But the teen never made it home Friday night, after police say she was hit near a bus stop and killed on Pacific Way in Kamloops, B.C.
"She was quiet and shy. That's what most people will remember about her. She was not the boisterous centre of attention, but she loved other people," said her father, Cameron Gatey.
One of his last communications with his daughter, who called herself Jenn, was a text about her birthday dinner planned today.
She opted to cancel a restaurant meal, wanting to eat at home with her parents, older brother and his fiancee and order from her favourite pizza place.
"It's heartbreaking when a young person loses their life, but this is a very tragic accident and especially more so because her birthday was the very next day," Cpl. Jodi Shelkie said today.
"It's hard to put into words how you feel and that's why we feel we need to put all our energies into this investigation so we can find out who the driver of that vehicle was."
Kamloops RCMP and Crime Stoppers initially released security images of the vehicle they believe may have hit Gatey around 6:45 p.m. PT on Nov. 5.
RCMP are looking for a Jeep-style SUV seen near where Gatey was found dead on the sidewalk.
Gatey's father said she was heading to a bus stop near her home, but it's unclear if she ever made it there or was crossing the road at the time she was struck.
RCMP are searching for the driver and any other information about the vehicle, which may have damage to the front passenger side.
Anyone with information to call the Kamloops Detachment at 250-828-3000 or to contact Crime Stoppers.