A man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into a fatal collision last year that claimed the life of a young man in BC.
Reid Davidson, age 24, was killed in a collision on the Nanaimo Parkway near the Cedar Overpass on July 19, 2023.
Previous to the collision, other drivers had reported the suspect, who was in a Dodge Caravan, driving erratically.
Officers were trying to locate and stop the suspect driver. Sadly, Davidson was hit by the suspect, who was going the wrong way on the highway.
The man who hit Davidson did not stay on the scene. Witnesses told police that the suspect was seen fleeing on foot. Police Dog Services managed to locate him a short distance away. Also injured in the crash, the man was taken to hospital for treatment.
In previous statements, police said impairment was a suspected factor in the incident.
After a lengthy investigation that included establishing a timeline for the suspects movement leading up to the collision, 60-year-old Micheal Rennie of no fixed address was formally charged on April 25, 2024.
On May 26, 2024, Rennie was located in Nanaimo and arrested without incident. His next court appearance is set for July 10, 2024.
He remains in custody and faces charges including criminal negligence causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop after an accident.
Davidson was a part of the NUFC and Nanaimo’s Harbourside FC staff, who mourned his loss alongside his friends and family.
Harbourside FC wrote in a post that Reid was “one of the kindest and most selfless souls we have ever known.”
“His absence leaves a void in our lives that can never be filled,” the team said. “His impact on the hearts of players, staff, and supporters at Harbourside was immeasurable.”
“Though our hearts ache, the soccer community has shown its strength in coming together during such moments,” they added.
Following his death, the team dedicated a men’s and women’s game to his memory. A moment of silence was held before the men’s match.
