Woman Charged After Fatal Hit and Run

Monday, February 01, 2010 04:58 PM

Prince George, B.C.- A sixty-eight year old woman has been charged in connection with the fatal hit and run on Ospika Blvd at Ferry Avenue, at approximately 7:55 pm, on Saturday night.

Police were called to the scene in which a pedestrian was struck by an SUV while walking on the sidewalk. Police arrived on the scene to find an unconscious male lying in collision debris. Also at the scene was a small passenger vehicle, which had also been impacted by the SUV, prior to leaving the scene.

The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.- Prince George.

The victim has been indentified as Stanley Garth Heavysides, 48 years of age, of Prince George, B.C. Heavysides was struck and run over by the vehicle in the collision.

A number of witnesses came forward to assist the police, both at the scene and after the incident. The police were able to locate the suspect SUV within an hour of the incident, at a residence in Prince George. The investigation led to the arrest of the sixty-eight year old female for Dangerous Driving Causing Death and Impaired Driving Causing Death.

An extensive investigation has been conducted by a police Criminal Crash Investigation Team. The crash evidence was extended over a couple of city blocks, resulting in Ospika Blvd being closed until 5:30 am Sunday morning. The comprehensive investigation has resulted in the driver of the SUV being charged with the following:

Criminal Negligence Causing Death
Dangerous Driving Causing Death
Impaired Driving Causing Death
Fail to Remain At the Scene of a Collision - Pedestrian
Fail to Remain At the Scene of a Collision - Vehicle

Sandra Cassidy, 68 years of age, of Prince George, will appear in the Prince George Court later this month to answer to the charges and any other recommended charges by Crown Counsel.

The Prince George RCMP continue to investigate this collision with the B.C. Coroner's Service. An autopsy, vehicle inspections, mechanical inspections all form part of the overall process.

The police are asking that anyone with any information regarding the crash contact the Prince George Traffic Services Unit at Tel# (250) 561-3300 or Crimestoppers.

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Posted on Monday, February 01, 2010 04:58 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: NMG on February 1 2010 7:40 PM

Sad situation. Hopefully they don't go lenient on her just because she is older. A drunk driver that kills someone should be locked up. Just my opinion.

Posted by: Mr. PG on February 1 2010 9:08 PM

Hopefully the RCMP will carefully investigate her reported drunkeness. As NMG has correctly stated, advanced age is not a defence for intoxication.

Posted by: Chester on February 1 2010 9:34 PM

Hitting a pedestrian, running over him and then hi-tailing it does not get much sympathy from anyone. Sorry for both of them. Hopefully someone kept Stanley company for the final minutes of his life. How sad.

Posted by: gus on February 2 2010 12:41 AM

http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/15340/3/man+killed+in+pg+hit+and+run?id=140&st=10

I find it is interesting to read the posts made when the story first broke and the posters did not know the driver was a senior citizen and a female.

Posted by: taxinapothole on February 2 2010 3:13 AM

My condolences to the family of Stanley. How sad for everybody involved. Many lives are destroyed by an incident like this.

I hope it is not the Sandra Cassidy that I know! I never knew her, or her late husband to drink and drive. I will pray for everybody involved, I will not judge.

P.S. be careful of your judgements everyone. No matter who it may be, they have the right to their day in court! Comments on this article, have already convicted the said driver.

Posted by: censored on February 2 2010 7:47 AM

After the big blitz of roadblocks at xmas this person still didn't get the message. Very sad!

I do find it interesting that her name is printed yet when the drug dealers and thieves get busted they remain anonymous.. Wazzup with that?

Posted by: seamutt on February 2 2010 8:24 AM

Did that cop down in lotus land get as many cahrges for his hit run and drink?

Posted by: editor on February 2 2010 8:51 AM

We must always remember, that although a person has been charged, that does NOT mean they are guilty. That is something that will be decided by the court.
I would also ask that we use some common sense when posting. Take a moment to think about what has been written before you hit post comment. The offending comment has been removed, as have other comments pertaining to it for continuity.

Elaine Macdonald

Posted by: ski50 on February 2 2010 9:18 AM

When tragedies like this happen I think we all want to somehow undo it a bit, and part of that process is by harshly punishing the perpetrator. Nothing is bringing Mr. Heavysides back.

That said, what I believe we should focus on is what measures can be put in place to prevent it from happening again.

Harshly punishing the guilty party - irregardless of age, gender, race, religion, etc., might be part of that. You kind of hope that other people who drink and drive might take note if a person fleeing the scene spends serious time in jail.

Is the increased availibility of alcohol an issue. There's a liquor store practically on every corner now?

Are servers really being diligent about making sure they don't overserve their patrons?

Are family members and friends of a habitual drunk driver doing the decent thing and reporting them to the police everytime they get behind the wheel drunk?

Mr. Heavysides is the victim of a drunk driver, and to a greater extent a culture of selfishess where people feel they are "okay" to drive and too cheap to take a taxi but not too cheap to buy a bottle.

I'm an avid cyclist, motorcyclist, and pedestrian and from personal experience it's dangerous enough out there with the ignorant sober drivers never mind the drunk ones - so this issue strikes a chord with me.

I'm not a puritan. I enjoy a drink but my limit is one drink - period - or I just don't drive. It's really not that hard to do.

Posted by: sunshine.north on February 2 2010 9:55 AM

A sad and horrible event, no matter how it came about.

Posted by: censored on February 2 2010 10:17 AM

Elaine, Not to be a pain, but why is it that her name is printed but not the drug dealers? I realized the innocent till proven... but I don't understand the difference between the two. Please do enlighten us.
I quite often think it would be in the publics best interest to know who has been charged with the various crimes that are reported. Drugs, B&E, violent offences etc.

al

Posted by: Ben Meisner on February 2 2010 10:53 AM

Good question, the woman has been charged, in the case of the drug dealers sometimes it takes several days before the police can allege that the person owned and operated the drug house or grow op and lay charges. You can also be sure that in these cases no one talks.
We don’t receive that information and must go the courts to get it. You are right however; if they are sure of charges it would seem reasonable that the media should receive that info.

Posted by: metalman on February 2 2010 12:09 PM

I knew Stanley Heavysides as a fellow motorcyclist years ago, he was a nice guy.
metalman.

Posted by: Eagleone on February 2 2010 12:39 PM

Ben, I would suggst if you published all the names (which would be good) that you use a post office box number for your address on the web site. It would seem silly otherwise, as no other media outlit would advertise anything but a post office box number for the obviouse reasons.

Its good for the public shaming if people are called out when convicted of a crime, its easy for everyone to call for that... but in a smart way I think.

Posted by: Anastasia on February 2 2010 3:25 PM

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Heavysides family!!

We are so sorry for your loss!!

Posted by: misterman on February 2 2010 6:14 PM

Well all I have to say is , it will be interesting to see the outcome from this.

Posted by: lmorge on February 2 2010 7:02 PM

To Ben and Censored. The information on accused's names can only be released with the charge information has been laid by crown, then it becomes public information. To do so beforehand would violate privacy laws.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on February 3 2010 8:38 AM

Who cares if it is an old women bottom line is that was just sick I mean what kind of animal would do that.

Posted by: observer on February 3 2010 9:05 AM

Chris
No kind of animal would do that. It is only human beings who do.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on February 4 2010 5:21 AM

I woke up just now thinking hey wait a minute this SUV back in the summer just about killed me. If it wasn't for my friend being there. This story really bothers me. I should go to court and shout at her. I'll take jail time for that. How dare she. Sounds like another 60 something women I know who is nuts loosing her mind.

Posted by: Wileycoyote on February 4 2010 10:19 AM

Today is Stanley Heavysides funeral........

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on February 4 2010 12:06 PM

I feel for his family. Poor bugger.