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Kelowna  

Paper carrier waits for crucial surgery

Steve Kania is still waiting for critical surgery at Vancouver General Hospital after he was struck by an alleged drunk driver who was trying to evade a police pursuit early Friday morning in Kelowna. 

He has been in Vancouver since being flown there early Saturday morning. 

Castanet spoke with Steve's aunt and uncle, Jenny and Jack Kania. They say Steve suffered several fractures in his lower back along with some head trauma that needed to be dealt with by the specialists in Vancouver. 

The fractures in his legs were operated on at Kelowna General on Friday. 

His aunt told Castanet how terrifying this all has been, but that she did feel some minor relief and a renewed optimism when she was able to visit him on Friday. 

Steve is in his early 40’s and remains in an induced coma in Vancouver, the family says right now doctors are optimistic there is no permanent paralysis damage as there is movement in his feet. 

Steve however is in Vancouver alone, another heart break for the family. According to his aunt and uncle his parents are both older and coping with major health issues themselves, making it impossible for them to make the trip down to Vancouver. 

His brother is currently doing all he can to get down to Vancouver and be by his side, but money is very tight. He is currently seeking financial assistance from ICBC. 

His aunt says it is a horrible waiting game, but they remain optimistic. 

She says Steve is a wonderful young man who should have been safe delivering papers. 

Questions around why he was out at 12:30 a.m. delivering papers make no sense to her. She says he always gets the papers from the printer late in the evening and likes to deliver them right away. Kania says her nephew delivers papers to over 200 customers and he likes to make sure it's on their doorsteps before they wake up. 

“Someone drank and disobeyed the law, the fault is squarely pointed on them,” says Jenny Kania. 

The family is hoping the surgery will be a success and Steve can return to Kelowna General Hospital by the end of the week. 



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