Skip to content

Daughter of fatal hit-and-run victim in Coquitlam makes plea

Sidney Bolwyn was struck and killed on Austin Avenue in Coquitlam on Jan. 26, 2017.
presser
Amanda Romp, daughter of Sidney Bolwyn, who was killed in a Coquitlam hit-and-run on Jan. 26, 2017, speaks to media about the loss and pleas for the driver to come forward to give her family closure. She was seated with Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLauglin.

 

The daughter of a pedestrian who died in January from a hit-and-run collision in Coquitlam made an emotional appeal to the driver who took her father's life.

At a press conference at Coquitlam RCMP this morning (Thursday), Amanda Romp looked into cameras and spoke directly to the person who struck and killed her dad, Sidney Bolwyn.

Police say the father-of-four and grandfather-of-four was out for an evening walk in his neighbourhood on Jan. 26, 2017, when he was hit in the 800-block of Austin Avenue, across from the entrance of the Vancouver Golf Club.

"We just want to know what happened," Romp told reporters while wiping away tears with a tissue. "It would mean the world to my family if someone came forward."

After the news event, Coquitlam RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Michael McLaughlin released images of four vehicles deemed to be "of interest" to the investigation. They are described as: 

• a mid-sized SUV that police believe to be burnt orange;

• a grey Volkswagen Jetta;

• a white Mercedes GL SUV;

• and an unidentified smaller sedan or coupe.

As well, in an unusual step, Mounties also released a video that captured an SUV — thought to be the burnt-orange vehicle in question — as it travelled eastbound on Austin Avenue, in the slow lane, at about 7:55 p.m. that night.

Romp told The Tri-City News she doesn't know why her father was out at the time or where he was going; however, she said he enjoyed walking.

Romp said she and her siblings struggle to explain to their children about why Bolwyn is gone. "We think about it every day," she said of the fatal collision. "Our kids often get sad they can't see their grandpa anymore. We tell them it's okay to be sad and it's nice that they're thinking about him."

• Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call the Coquitlam RCMP's tip line dedicated to the case: 778-290-5346.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com

 

orange

small coupe

 

VW JETTA

Mercedes