My mother, Ines Reyes, was hit by a car and suffered serious trauma while walking on the sidewalk near Lonsdale Avenue and West Keith Road on July 20. She was hospitalized due to her injuries and we expected that she would come home on Sept. 7. Unfortunately, Mom experienced complications at the hospital, where she passed away Sept. 14. My father (Jorge Reyes) and I are heartbroken and we miss her deeply.
We would like to thank all those who were involved in saving her life. Mr. M. was the first at the scene and feverishly attempted to stop the driver from hitting her while reversing to leave the sidewalk. He also applied pressure to stop the flow of blood until the ambulance arrived. We owe you a great deal of gratitude for taking the time to help a stranger who means the world to us. We have never met you but you are forever in our hearts and thoughts.
We are also indebted to several North Vancouver RCMP officers for their support, empathy, guidance and compassion; Const. Chris Noordlund, who gave me the terrible news kindly and carefully; Const. Blaise Picketts, who sat with me at ICU in Lions Gate; Const. Robert Savill, who gathered valuable information; Const. Shane Padilla-Thorntons, who answered my questions personally and via email; Const. Peter Kennedy, who was a constant source of support and information at the RCMP office, and Sgt. Bryce Petersen, whom I never met, but I understand took extra time to gather evidence. There may be others involved and we apologize if we have left anyone out. We would like to recognize all these dedicated officers who gave so much of themselves to help us cope with this unbearably painful and traumatic experience.
We would also like to thank the City of North Vancouver, which quickly put up a barricade to stop drivers from parking there. They have now also placed boulders on the sidewalk, which (I hope) will be the beginning of a “parklet” with flowers, trees, a memorial bench for Mom. You all have our eternal gratitude and will be forever in our hearts.
Cristina Reyes
North Vancouver
Editor’s note: City of North Vancouver spokeswoman Connie Rabold said that staff are exploring options to “animate” the site and that changes will take time to plan and implement.
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