A man has been charged with multiple driving offences after a cyclist was killed in a hit and run while training for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North this summer.
On July 7, the Prince George RCMP were notified that a pair of cyclists were seriously injured while training for the fundraising event.
One of the riders was an RCMP officer and the other was a community rider. Sadly, Shane Kelly, the community rider, succumbed to his injuries on July 11.
On Thursday, the Prince George RCMP confirmed that the BC Prosecution Services approved charges against Thomas Leslie Phillips on Oct. 6.
That includes the following:
Impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death
Impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm
Fail to remain at the scene of an accident causing death
Fail to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm
Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
Kelly’s death hit the community very hard.
He was described as a “caring and enthusiastic team builder.” He also took part in several annual fundraising events like the Relay for Life, as well as Wheeling Warriors, Tour de Cure and more through other cancer-related charities.
Laura Nelson, manager of Cops for Cancer, said he was driven by a deep commitment to make a difference for children with cancer.
“Shane’s teammates are devastated by the loss of one of their own, in such tragic circumstances,” she said.
Shortly after Kelly's tragic death, the Cops for Cancer Tour de North team hosted a special memorial ride in his name.
“This incident hit the community of Prince George, as well as our local policing community, very hard as this not only involved a Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de North rider but one of our own police officers,” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper.
“Our investigators have worked very hard to bring this investigation to the charge-approval stage.”
The matter is now before the court and the RCMP will not be making additional comments.
