Canadian police reopen 1985 bike fatality case

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Police in Edmonton, Canada, aren't giving up on a bicycle fatality, even though the case is 22 years old.

The mother of the 16-year-old hit-and-run victim and police are making another plea for information in the death of Robert Phillips. At a police department press conference, the boy's mother, Donna Nelson, said:

“I'm hoping for a miracle. Maybe somebody's carrying some guilt around that would like to deal with that. That's the only thing that's going to motivate a reaction.”


Van involved

Police believe Phillips was struck by a 1975-78 Ford Econoline van and left to die. A cabbie found him about 7 p.m. on Feb. 19, 1985, lying on the ground near his crumpled bike.

After following all the leads, the case went cold. Retired cop Rocky Maze remembers investigating the death and promising Nelson that they'd find out what happened. He's been haunted by the case ever since.

Police filmed a recreation of the hit-and-run which can be seen at the Edmonton Journal website.

Anyone with information is urged to call  780-423-4567. CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Recent case

Police might be buoyed by their recent success in bringing charges against a motorist in a September 2007 hit and run fatality involving a bicyclist.

Police used forensic evidence and eyewitness accounts to file charges on Monday against a 21-year-old man. According to the Edmonton police department, he's charged with failure to stop at the scene of a collision with a person, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, attempt to obstruct justice and criminal negligence causing death.

As a bicyclist, I certainly like the tenacity of the authorities in these cases.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/12/19/canadian-police-reopen-1985-bike-fatality-case/

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