Red Deere residents gathered to remember Heather Lawrence two years after she was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
On July 6, 2022, the 45-year-old pediatric physical therapist was riding her bike in Red Deer County, south of 40th Avenue at McKenzie Road, when she was struck by a vehicle. The suspect driving the vehicle has still not been identified.
Last Sunday, the Central Alberta Bicycle Club hosted the Heather Lawrence Memorial Ride with over 20 participants.
“The club rides on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Heather was a long-time member of the club,” said Manon Therriault, president of the club.
“This ride is not just for members of the Central Alberta Bicycle Club. We invite the whole community to come along.”
Therriault said the word “community” comes to mind when she thinks of Lawrence, who was her longtime friend.
“She was part of the cycling community. She was well known in the (Alberta Health Services) community, her church community, the drama community, the music community. She was involved in a little bit of everything,” Therriault said.
“She was a really nice person. She was so friendly. She was known for her positive attitude and pleasant nature, and you could see that in all the communities she was a part of.”
In 2022, the RCMP released a photo of a suspect vehicle. The vehicle was described as a Mazda Protégé (1999 to 2003), dark green, with heavily tinted black windows, retrofitted fog lights and exhaust, chrome five-spoke wheels, no emblems, and a roof-mounted antenna.
Therriault said the last few years have been difficult, knowing that those responsible have not been caught.
“It hurts not to be able to find closure. I’m still very close to their family and you can see that it weighs on them every day not knowing that they didn’t find closure,” Therriault said.
“I don’t think people will ever forget her. I still get calls from people trying to figure out how they can help find the person who did this to her. She definitely stays in people’s minds.”
Anyone with information about the 2022 hit-and-run crash or those responsible is asked to contact the Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3300. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.P3Tips.com or through the P3 Tips app.
