The grieving family of a Vancouver man who was killed in a hit-and-run earlier this year made an emotional plea Thursday for the person responsible to come forward.
Ryan Barron, 30, was fatally struck while skateboarding on Heather Street with a friend in the early morning hours of April 17. He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
Months later, his family gathered with police to share how deeply they’ve been impacted by the tragedy.
“Our family has changed forever because of this devastating accident, and we are still struggling with the grief and lack of closure,” said Lynn Stuart, Barron’s aunt.
“I know Ryan will be with us in spirit, but sometimes that’s just not good enough.”
Barron was from Ontario but had been living in Vancouver at the time of the accident. He was supposed to show his mother around the city when she came to visit this summer.
His mother still made the trip, along with other heartbroken family members, so they could urge the driver, or anyone who knows the driver’s identity, to do the right thing and help alleviate their suffering.
“None of us, not one person standing in this room or one of his skateboarding friends… had a chance to say goodbye,” Stuart said. “Our family cannot get closure without this information, and we rely on you to help us find the missing pieces.”
Days after the accident, police found a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer they believe was involved at a home in East Vancouver.
On Friday, for the first time ever, authorities released a picture revealing just how much damage was caused to the car, which had a shattered windshield, dented hood and a caved-in roof.
“Make no doubt about it: the driver of this car would be very aware that they hit somebody,” Sgt. Randy Fincham said.
“They also know that they left the scene of that collision and made an attempt to hide that vehicle from police.”
Though investigators know who the registered owner of the vehicle is and have spoken with that person, they need more evidence to “100 per cent identify” who was driving the night of the accident.
It’s only a matter of time before that individual is caught, Fincham added.
“To the driver of this car: We don’t close files. This will remain an active, ongoing investigation until you’re arrested. You will not know when we’re coming for you – it may be at a family gathering, it may be at a place of employment – but there will be a day when we close this investigation with your arrest. So we are coming for you,” he said.
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run can contact the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-3012, or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
