Janet Atkinson-Grosjan held back tears as she described her late brother, the avid cyclist and musician, father and grandfather, during a press conference on Friday.
The RCMP hope the family's pleas will encourage witnesses to step forward with information regarding the hit and run death of 72-year-old Burnaby resident Ed Simpkins.
As reported previously by the Burnaby NOW, Simpkins was riding his bicycle westbound on 13th Avenue on June 30, when he crossed over a median at Wright Street and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Burnaby RCMP have been unable to locate the suspect and vehicle involved in the crash and are hoping Simpkins' family's pleas will encourage the suspect to step forward.
"We always thought he was indestructible. . He would have been 73 at the end of this month, but he was fitter than most people half his age. He was a musician, he was a poet, an artist, an athlete, and life-long cyclist. He was also a dad, a granddad, my brother, and a friend to so many people. He had a real gift for words and writing dreadful jokes, and he will be missed. We certainly weren't ready to lose him," Atkinson-Grosjan said. "We do understand that the driver must
have panicked. Speaking for myself, I'm past the anger, I understand what (they) must have gone through when this happened and I understand the need to just get away from things, but it's been a few days now and you must be feeling awful with the guilt. So please, it's really time to say 'enough' and come forward. We need you to come forward so we can let Ed go in a dignified manner."
According to Staff Sgt. Major John Buis, police have obtained surveillance footage from a nearby security camera that shows the suspect vehicle as well as a second witness vehicle.
"It is believed another driver came across the scene just as (the accident) occurred, or seconds afterwards, and then reversed and left the area westbound along 13th Avenue," he said.
Buis said it's unknown whether the second driver saw Simpkins or if they only saw the car stopped and decided to turn around rather than attempt to go around. At this point, however, he is also urging the second driver to contact the Burnaby RCMP.
"We believe this driver is critically important as a witness to our investigation," he said. "We urgently wish to speak with that person about what he or she may have seen that evening."
The suspect vehicle is described as a late model, two-door coupe, either black or blue in colour, and it is believed the driver is a woman, Buis said.
"It appears to be very similar to an Acura RSX, Honda Civic or similar model of car," he said.
While it was reported earlier that the suspect vehicle had damage to the passenger side door, Buis said that this can no longer be confirmed and that the fatal injuries Simpkins sustained - which aren't being released at this time - suggest there could be no damage at all.
"We recognize that the situation could be overwhelming for anyone involved in such an incident and we encourage the driver who struck Ed Simpkins to come forward," Buis added.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922. [email protected]
