Skip to main content

Charge approved in 2020 crash that killed cyclist on cross-Canada journey

The cyclist struck and killed by a pickup truck in Maple Ridge, B.C. on July 20, 2020 has been identified by friends as 24-year-old Dafne Toumbanakis, of Montreal. The cyclist struck and killed by a pickup truck in Maple Ridge, B.C. on July 20, 2020 has been identified by friends as 24-year-old Dafne Toumbanakis, of Montreal.
Share
Vancouver -

More than a year after cyclist Dafne Toumbanakis was struck and killed at the outset of a ride across Canada, a driver has been criminally charged.

The 24-year-old victim was on the Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge, B.C., when she was struck by a pickup truck on the afternoon of July 20, 2020.

On Wednesday, following a 16-month investigation, Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed one count of dangerous driving causing death has been approved against Mission resident Jason Davis.

"While the police consider the charge approval a positive outcome as far as the police investigation goes, we never lose sight of the fact that tragically someone lost their life in this incident," Const. Julie Klaussner said in a news release.

Authorities previously said the driver remained at the scene and was co-operative with police.

Friends told CTV News that Toumbanakis, who lived in Montreal, was no stranger to long-distance cycling, having previously taken several international biking trips, including a solo ride from Turkey to Poland.

"She was a person that really enjoyed life, enjoyed open space, trekking, biking," her friend Sylvain Karpinski said in an interview after her death. "She was a super easygoing girl and she was a sweetheart."

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING

BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Stay Connected