The funeral for a Delta father who died in a police-involved crash last month drew plenty of friends and family who not only remember the man fondly, but who are also asking for answers.
Victor Melo Duarte, 47, was driving home from work on Oct. 29 when he was killed in a three-car collision in Langley. RCMP say a green truck involved in the crash had just sped away from a speed trap a few kilometers down the road. The injured 27-year-old driver was arrested at the scene.
Mounties say they are now looking for the driver of a white Chevrolet Express van because they believe the van was near the site of the crash.
The circumstances of the crash are still unclear, and under investigation by B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office, a civilian agency tasked with probing serious and fatal police incidents.
Outside the funeral home on Saturday, Alessandra Quaglia, a family friend, said she is starting to feel angry that the police are not disclosing more information about the investigation.
“I know that it’s delicate and they can’t just release information that’s not valid, I understand,” she said. “At the same time, I know the driver who caused the collision…I know he was in custody, so why do we not have more information about him and about why and how this accident occurred?”
Another friend said she remembers Duarte, who worked for many years in the restaurant industry, as a respected, family-oriented man who enjoyed life.
“He would always save a delicious meal for after work, or a glass of wine and he never rushed through any of it because he believed it was meant to be appreciated and enjoyed, and it was the way he lived his life,” said Linda Zmurchyk. “Not a day went by that he didn’t talk about his family and how to get ahead.”
With files from CTV British Columbia’s Lisa Rossington
