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U.S. punk band claims involvement in tragic Vancouver 'dragging' collision

A U.S. punk band claims that a member of their group was involved in a tragic collision in Vancouver on Oct. 12 that left a woman with life-threatening injuries.

 A GoFundMe page has been started that has already raised $15,000 out of a goal of $1 million to help Burnaby resident Desiree Evancio. Photo: GoFundmeA GoFundMe page has been started that has already raised $15,000 out of a goal of $1 million to help Burnaby resident Desiree Evancio. Screenshot

A U.S. punk band claims that a member of their group was involved in a tragic collision in Vancouver on Oct. 12 that left a woman with life-threatening injuries.

Desiree Evancio, 24, was struck by a car and dragged underneath the vehicle for several blocks around 12:30 a.m. in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver Police Department Sgt. Steve Addison said Evancio was walking near East Hastings and Jackson Street when she was hit. He said the driver was not aware of the collision and drove several blocks to East Hastings and Columbia Street before realizing what had happened.

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, Off With Their Heads, a U.S. punk rock band, posted on Facebook about the accident. The band was playing a show in Vancouver in the evening of Oct. 11 at SBC Restaurant, which is located in the Downtown Eastside.

Ryan Young, Frontman, Off With Their Heads, wrote that the band was cancelling the remaining dates of their North American tour. He added that the group is waiting for more information to come to light but that they doesn't feel comfortable playing live shows until that happens.

"Due to the sensitive nature of an accident a band member was involved with, I can't elaborate any more than that," he writes.

Young states that refunds will be available for fans at the point of purchase.

A GoFundMe page has been started that has already raised $116,680 out of a goal of $1 million to help Desiree Evancio, who has already undergone multiple surgeries was set to have facial reconstruction surgery on Wednesday.

Vancouver Police told Vancouver Is Awesome in an email that this incident is still under investigation and no charges have been laid. For privacy reasons, it would be inappropriate for the VPD to provide personal details about any of the parties involved in the investigation.

With files from the Burnaby Now and Elisia Seeber.