The RCMP have charged a man in connection to the deaths of two UBC student pedestrians killed along Northwest Marine Drive last year.
In the early morning of September 26, 2021, Evan Smith and Emily Selwood were struck and killed by a car while walking along a sidewalk behind c̓əsnaʔəm house in the Totem Park residence area. The identities of the students were not public until today’s announcement from the RCMP.
In its statement, the University RCMP said it had charged Tim Carl Robert Goerner with two counts each of impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and impaired driving, totaling six charges overall.
“This was a difficult and tragic of incident and I want to offer my deepest condolences to the parents of Emily Selwood, 18 and Evan Smith, 18. Our thoughts go out to the families of these two students,” wrote University RCMP Detachment Commander Staff-Sergeant Chuck Lan in the statement.
The announcement comes after a year-long investigation. The University and Richmond RCMP worked with the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS), Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) and BC RCMP Major Crime, according to the statement.
Since the fatal crash last year, the RCMP and BC Ministry of Transportation have implemented and announced safety improvements to the stretch of NW Marine Drive where the accident took place — although community members have called for more.
Students also erected a memorial for Smith and Selwood immediately after the crash last fall.
The families of Smith and Selwood provided statements of their own included in the RCMP’s announcement, but asked for privacy at this time.
“Emily was a loyal and loving daughter, sister, and friend. Her bright light will be missed,” Selwood’s parents wrote, adding that they have started a memorial fund for arts students in their daughter’s memory.
“He was a loyal friend and a wonderful son and brother. His positive attitude, playful competitiveness and humble disposition left a mark on everyone he came across,” wrote Smith’s family.
“In the days to come, we hope for a successful conviction against the suspect. However, no matter the outcome, our hearts will forever be broken,” Smith’s family continued.