Thursday February 13, 2014 (Vol. 39 No.. 13) 13))
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
S U R R E Y
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Olympic highs/lows: Elaine Tanner – a triple medalist from the 1968 Olympics – shares heartfelt life lessons for her fellow Olympians following Sochi. i see page 6
Pedestrian killed in unsanctioned police chase through White Rock, charges allege
Victim’s sister doesn’t blame officer Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
The sister of a woman who was struck and killed in a White Rock crosswalk nearly three years ago by a driver being pursued by police says she does not blame her sibling’s death on the officer involved. Lynné McCutcheon made the comment in Surrey Provincial Court this week, during a break in what was the first day of a preliminary inquiry to determine if evidence against Const. David Bickle is enough to warrant a criminal trial in the matter. “My family just needs this to end,” McCutcheon told Peace Arch News Tuesday. Charges against Bickle, who joined the White Rock RCMP detachment in 2009, were
announced in August 2012. In the news release announcing charges The charges – dangerous driving causing death against Bickle, the VPD alleged that the offiand dangerous driving causing bodily harm – cer’s “actions and failure to follow the numerfollowed a Vancouver Police Department inves- ous federal and provincial guidelines regarding tigation into the officer’s actions immediately pursuit driving contributed to the death of a prior to Marilyn Laursen’s death. pedestrian.” Laursen, 56, was killed on May 18, ❝My family just A publication ban prevents the dis2011, as she crossed Johnston Road needs this to end.❞ closure of any evidence heard durat Thrift Avenue. She was struck by a Lynné McCutcheon ing this week’s inquiry, which was car driven by Kyle Brandon Danyliuk, scheduled for three days. Judge Paul who – the court heard during sentencing – was Dohm was to hear from about nine witnesses fleeing police at the time. over the course of the proceedings. Danyliuk, a South Surrey resident, is serving a Bickle, who was placed on administrative two-year sentence after pleading guilty to four duties the same day that charges were laid, charges, including dangerous driving causing was supported in court by a number of people, death and dangerous driving causing bodily including fellow officers. harm. i see page 4
File photo
McCutcheon holds photos of sister.
Coal impact doubted
Air tests ‘likely to ease rail concerns’ Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Helping hand
Boaz Joseph photo
Tsawwassen’s Ryan Jerome and his daughter Sterling, 3, took to the ice after operators of God’s Little Acre flooded its farm to attract skaters to the frozen landscape as temperatures fell last weekend. It was the farm’s second such fundraiser this winter – $3,700 was collected for seed, used to grow vegetables for local food banks and soup kitchens.
White Rock residents concerned about the impact of coal dust and diesel emissions on air quality will have greater insight into the issue this summer. Coun. Grant Meyer, chair of the city’s newly formed rail-safety task force, announced last month that an air-quality monitoring station will be used to get a better sense of the situation. “We’ll be able to confirm or not any potential air-quality issues with coal trains and diesel,” Meyer told council. Greg St. Louis, the city’s director of engineering and municipal operations, told task force members at their inaugural meeting Jan. 23 that Metro Vancouver has agreed to bring a mobile air-quality unit to the seaside city in the coming months. i see page 4
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